Problems for Shakhtyor and Irtysh, Almaty side keep winning: what you need to know about Freedom QJ League matchweek 14

Thrashing in the capitals’ derby

Astana failed to stop Kairat from claiming yet another victory. The Yellow-Blacks scored five unanswered goals at the Football House, with each one coming from a different player. Alamgir Smakov, Abylai Toleukhan, Daulet Orynbasar, Amirbek Bazarbayev, and Kaisar Malaev all found the net.

Toleukhan had 1+1 in this match and continues to lead the league’s “goal+assist” standings.

Erbol Musabayev’s team now sits fifth in the table, six points behind the bronze position. Still, the capital side had some luck — both Shakhtyor and Irtysh, currently third and fourth, also dropped points this matchweek. There are still eight matchweeks to go.

Atyrau fall in Shymkent

Ordabasy edged Atyrau at home with a narrow win. Timur Rakhimov opened the scoring in the 10th minute, and although Abdulmansur Hasan equalized in the 53rd, the hosts soon struck again — this time Talant Kuanysh scored. The 2–1 scoreline remained until the final whistle.

This result leaves Shymkent in the upper half of the table with 19 points. Atyrau have 13 points and sit ninth.

Draw in Karaganda

Taraz managed to take points off one of the main medal contenders — Shakhtyor. The Miners conceded an early goal from Azizjon Berdiev in the 10th minute and only managed to level the score in the 55th, when Gleb Makridov converted a penalty. Neither side could find another goal, and the match ended in a draw.

Shakhtyor dropped to third place, with Zhas Kyran overtaking them — the Almaty side hold a one-point advantage and a game in hand.

Another piece of bad news for the Karaganda side was an injury to productive midfielder Naiman Satenov, who was substituted within the first ten minutes.

No trouble for Zhas Kyran

In the first round, Kaisar managed to take points from Zhas Kyran, but in Almaty they couldn’t repeat or better that result — the hosts cruised to a 4–1 win. Arlan Zhangazy, Zhangirkhan Zhankurazov, Mansur Kartamysov, and Danil Nikolaev scored for the home side, while the Wolves’ only goal came from Zhanbolat Azimkhan.

This result ended Kaisar’s unusual run of four straight draws, while Zhas Kyran further strengthened their place in the top three.

Toleubek saves Irtysh from defeat

Meanwhile, Caspiy extended their streak of draws, taking a point from Pavlodar — and they could have won.

In the 50th minute, Irtysh were awarded a penalty and opened the scoring, with Ruslan Rakhmetov converting from the spot. However, the hosts couldn’t score from open play, while Caspiy’s Shakhmardan Demesin and Nurgazy Kusayin both found the net from a corner routine.

Later, the visitors had a chance to take the lead, but Madiyar Toleubek saved Anuar Uzakbai’s penalty.

In the U16 tournament, however, Pavlodar beat Caspiy 6–1 — Artem Lyashchuk was involved in five of those goals, scoring a hat-trick and providing two assists.

All three matches between Tobol and Aktobe in matchweek 14 have been rescheduled for 7 September.