Clash of the Leaders and the “Kazakh Derby”: What You Need to Know Ahead of Matchweek 2 in the Freedom QJ League W

Zhetisu – Astana

The girls from Taldykorgan suffered a tough away defeat in the opening round, conceding 11 unanswered goals to Kairat. Now, they’ll play their first home match of the season – with Astana coming to visit.

Let’s recall: last year, the capital team's forward, Assyl Pazyl, became the top scorer in the Republic of Kazakhstan Championship among girls’ teams born in 2008-2009. In the opening round of the Freedom QJ League, the 14‑year‑old scored at home against Tobol, signaling that her ambitions remain high. Will she notch her first away goal this Saturday?

Shakhtyor – Tobol

Both teams suffered defeats in their opening matches – which means that at least one of them will have the chance to earn their first points in Week II. While Shakhtyor managed to score a consolation goal in their 1-5 loss to Irtysh, Tobol conceded just two goals to Astana but failed to respond with any of their own.

In 2024, the two teams played a fierce match in the Republic Championship among girls born in 2008-2009 – Tobol came out on top with a 3-2 victory. Nearly all the goalscorers from that game are now playing in the current Freedom QJ League season: Varvara Tsoy and Amura Karabayeva for the Kostanay side, and Malika Sarsen and Saida Dyussembayeva for Shakhtyor. This means the former rivals will meet on the pitch once again.

Irtysh – Ordabasy

The girls from Pavlodar, who confidently kicked off their League campaign last weekend in front of thousands of local fans, will now face the reigning champions of last year’s Republic Championship among players born in 2008-2009.

It’s worth noting that this season’s team from Shymkent is quite different from last year’s squad: some players have moved on to senior tournaments, and they’ve been replaced by girls born in 2010-2011.

Despite the changes, this Ordabasy side remains a formidable force – in the opening round, they cruised past Aktobe with a 3-0 win, with goals scored by 15-year-old Diana Sitnikova and 14-year-old Balnur Yergeshbek.

That said, Pavlodar also has plenty of young talent – let’s not forget that two of Irtysh’s goals against Shakhtyor came from Aisana Akhmediyan, who just turned 14 this year.

Aktobe – Kairat

This match marks the next chapter in the storied rivalry between two historic clubs – and for the first time in Freedom QJ League history, it will be the girls who face off in this iconic “Kazakh derby.”

It’s worth recalling the Republic Championship among players born in 2008-2009. The third round of that tournament took place in Aktobe – and the home side managed to defeat the future silver medalists with a 2-1 scoreline. With that history, both teams have plenty of motivation to deliver a fiery showdown this weekend.