The third round of League A has come to an end. We recap the flagship tournament.
Two own goals and three penalties in Shymkent
The match between Ordabasy and KFF Academy in Shymkent turned out to be quite unusual. The hosts scored five goals in total, but two of them went into their own net.
As early as the 2nd minute, Emirkhan Kurbanov scored an own goal, but the home side quickly managed to make amends, with Diyar Rakhimzhanov equalizing.
However, the spectators were still in for several more unusual goals in the first half. In the 21st minute, Anuar Tolendi converted a penalty to put the visitors back in front. Ordabasy forward Adilbek Turdakh then pulled one back, but a few minutes later his teammate Talant Kuanysh scored a second own goal.
After the break, Ordabasy also earned a penalty, which was successfully converted by Diyar Rakhimzhanov. But it was KFF Academy who celebrated the win in the end: in the 71st minute, the final goal of the match was scored — once again from the spot — by Platon Shipitsyn. The hosts lost 3-4.
Kairat’s perfect run
The Almaty side thrashed Aktobe 6-0. The opening goal came from Sultanali Abduali, then Abylai Toleukhan scored from the penalty spot, before Daulet Orynbasar and Alikhan Abdi each completed a brace.
It is worth noting that midway through the first half, the visitors were reduced to ten men — in the 21st minute, Ayan Amanzhulov received a second yellow card for rough play.
After three rounds, Kairat can boast impressive numbers: three wins, 22 goals scored and none conceded.
Taraz claim their first win
Taraz confidently defeated Irtysh 4-2 at home. The goals for the southern side were scored by Bilyal Sadykov, Alan Yerboluly, Rasul Nurmanbai and Mukhambet Shukuraliyev, with Yerboluly and Nurmanbai also providing one assist each.
Until the 85th minute, the hosts were leading 4-0, but Gapur Merzhoyev improved Irtysh’s statistics late on — first scoring from open play and then converting a penalty. The forward had only come on in the second half.
Irtysh remain bottom of the table and, together with Caspiy, are one of only two teams still without a win this season.
Tobyl succeed in Aktau
For the third round in a row, Caspiy suffered a frustrating 1-2 defeat. This time, the Aktau side faced Tobyl, and the outcome was decided in the first half. In the 9th minute, the visitors’ captain Islam Zhantassov opened the scoring, and shortly before the break, Nabi Talasbek added another. Nazar Zakharchenko assisted both goals.
Despite their active attacking play, the hosts managed to pull only one goal back — in the 77th minute, Anuar Uzakbai scored from Alikhan Zhumabai’s pass.
It is worth noting that Uzakbai scored against Astana in the first round, while Alikhan Zhumabai found the net against Aktobe on the second match weekend. But despite the productivity of this attacking link-up, Caspiy have yet to earn their first points.
Akimov’s brace gives Shakhter the win
In Karaganda, Shakhter defeated Astana 2-0. Both goals were scored in the second half by midfielder Rasul Akimov — first, he beat Tamerlan Zhanabergenov after a pass from Zhanibek Zhailaubek, and then converted a penalty.
Astana also attacked actively, but neither their six shots on target nor their xG of 3.1 helped the visitors get on the scoresheet. After a hard-fought win over Caspiy, the capital club have now lost two matches in a row — and in the next round, they will face Taraz, who have ended their losing streak.
Ten goals in Kyzylorda
Zhas Kyran produced yet another goal-heavy match. The Almaty side defeated Kaysar 7-3 in Kyzylorda. Three of the visitors’ goals came after the Wolves were reduced to ten men, with Birzhan Yertai receiving a second yellow card in the 71st minute.
Sergey Sharunov, who scored twice and provided an assist, and Alan Lukanin, who recorded one goal and two assists, were the most productive players of the match. Early in the game, Lukanin also had a chance to score from the penalty spot, but his shot hit the post.
For Kaysar, Meiyrzhan Mirambekov and Madi Zhenisuly deserve special mention: the former scored a brace, while the latter recorded one goal and one assist.
As a result, the triumvirate of leaders remains in the standings: Kairat, Zhas Kyran and Shakhter occupy the top three places, each having collected nine points from nine possible.
Top scorer after Matchweek 3: Daulet Orynbasar, Kairat — 5 goals.
Top assist provider after Matchweek 3: Abylai Toleukhan, Kairat — 3 assists.
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