Matchweek 19 of the Freedom QJ League is over. We take a look at the main storylines from the younger age-group matches in League A.
Freedom QJ League U-17
Shakhter maintain their advantage
The U-17 competition remains the only League A tournament where Kairat are not currently the main favourites for the title, with Karaganda’s Shakhter still sitting top of the table.
The Miners had to work hard to beat Ordabasy 2-1 in the latest matchweek. Their closest challengers Kairat thrashed Caspiy 6-0, meaning the gap between the two sides remained unchanged at five points: Shakhter have 50, while the Yellow-and-Blacks are on 45.
However, the Almaty side still have a game in hand, with their postponed Matchweek 17 fixture against Kaisar scheduled for 19 September. A win over the underdogs would cut Kairat’s deficit to just two points – potentially making their head-to-head meeting in Karaganda in Matchweek 21 decisive.
Mansur Yelubay saves Aktobe from dropping points
Three teams remain in contention for the bronze medals with three matchweeks left: Aktobe on 38 points, Ordabasy on 37 and Zhas Kyran on 33.
The Red-and-Whites moved into third place after a narrow 2-1 victory over their rivals from Almaty. The match could easily have ended in a draw, but in the 84th minute Aktobe goalkeeper Mansur Yelubay saved Timur Tugambekov’s effort.
Zhas Kyran are now in the most difficult position of the three, with matches against Kairat, Tobyl and Shakhter still to come.
Freedom QJ League U-16
Kairat one step away from the title
The situation is different in the competition for players born in 2011. None of the top three dropped points in their matches, and Kairat currently lead Shakhter by five points, 50 to 45. Denis Ledenev’s side also have a game in hand against Kaisar.
Kairat and the Miners are still due to meet in Matchweek 21, but Shakhter will need more than just a victory in that game – they will also have to hope for the favourites to slip up more than once.
Shakhter, however, appear to have all but secured the silver medals. With three matchweeks remaining, they hold an eight-point advantage over their nearest challengers Aktobe, 45 points to 37. The Red-and-Whites, meanwhile, have opened up a relatively comfortable gap over fourth-placed Ordabasy, who have 33 points.
Freedom QJ League U-15
The battle remains tight
Although Kairat have already secured the title in the youngest age category, the silver and bronze medals are still up for grabs.
Tobyl (40 points), Aktobe (33), Irtysh (33), Zhas Kyran (30), Shakhter (30), as well as Ordabasy (26) and Astana (25), remain in contention for the podium.
The head-to-head meeting between Tobyl and Aktobe could play a major role in determining the final top three – the teams will face each other in the next matchweek, with the Red-and-Whites hosting the game.
Top scorers after Matchweek 19
Freedom QJ League U-17: Arsen Baizhanov (Aktobe), Tamerlan Sarsymbayev (Kairat) and Timur Tugambekov (Zhas Kyran), 12 goals each;
Freedom QJ League U-16: Balakhmet Adilbek (Tobyl), 17 goals;
Freedom QJ League U-15: Abylai Tursyn (Kairat), 24 goals.
Top assist providers after Matchweek 19
Freedom QJ League U-17: Temirlan Abzhapar (Kairat), 10 assists;
Freedom QJ League U-16: Alikhan Karim (Shakhter), 10 assists;
Freedom QJ League U-15: Abdurakhim Ongarbek (Kairat), 17 assists.
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