Contrasting games: Review of Matchweek 6 of Freedom QJ League W

Goalless draw in Shymkent

It was a hot Friday in southern Kazakhstan – literally. Despite the early kickoff at 10 a.m., the temperature steadily approached 30°C throughout the match. Players from Ordabasy and Tobol had to pause for water breaks three times, but in such conditions, neither side had the energy for a successful attack. The 0:0 result marked the first goalless draw of the season.

Aktobe gaining momentum

Sergey Polenov's team continues its recovery: Aktobe's players netted two unanswered goals in Karaganda. Aziza Talap and Mauluda Armat got on the scoresheet. After losing their first four matches, the red-and-whites finally ended their losing streak amid a still-dense table. A week earlier, Azamat Zhitpisbayev’s side had defeated Zhetysu. They’re now six points away from both second place and the bottom. As for the “Cinderellas,” they’ve failed to score in two straight matches – the departure of their joker players seems to have hit hard.

Eleven goals in Pavlodar

Irtysh left Zhetysu no chance at all. The visitors from Taldykorgan conceded ten goals and only scored once – Aynur Anuarbek found a consolation goal. Best individual stats came from Elizaveta Medvedeva (three goals, three assists) and Valeriya Kosareva (a brace and three assists). Also scoring: Polina Arlanova (brace), Aisana Akhmediyan, Munira Sarsenova, and Aysha Sarsembekova. Having scored more goals in one match than in the previous five combined, Irtysh stormed into the top three, displacing Shakhtyor.

No intrigue in the capitals’ clash

Kairat and Astana combined for 12 goals in Almaty, but it was a one-sided affair – the hosts won 9:3. Two Angelinas – Klyonova and Oster – and Milena Nikolenko each scored hat-tricks, with Milena also delivering two assists. For the visitors, Asyl Pazyl bounced back from a poor game against Ordabasy with a penalty goal, a second strike, and an assist to Sofiya Rybak. Ahead of the final matchday of the first round, Kairat is six points clear of Astana, who continue to feel the pressure from teams below.