Rout in Aktobe and a Hard-Fought Win for Zhas Kyran: What You Need to Know About Freedom QJ League Matchweek 15

Taraz defeat Tobol

The Kostanay side once again failed to take points off Taraz – this time the southerners earned a home victory. It wasn’t easy, especially considering Tobol’s midfielder Roman Gavrilyuk opened the scoring.

After conceding, Taraz stepped up and netted twice in two minutes – Yersultan Baiten and Daulet Musretbek got on the scoresheet. After the break, Tleukabyl Kanatbek extended the hosts’ lead to two goals. Tobol managed to respond with only one goal – scored by Nurmubarak Zhaxylyk. Final score – 3:2.

Interestingly, despite the close scoreline, the xG numbers were ruthless towards Tobol – just 0.55 compared to Taraz’s 3.07 expected goals.

A tough day for Aktobe

The “Red and Whites” unexpectedly suffered a heavy home defeat to Ordabasy.

The Shymkent club put eight past Aktobe – Zhanali Yesenaliev scored a hat-trick, Akhan Serik bagged a brace, while Abdurakhman Orumbaev, Kudiret Botabek and Askhat Zhanbyrbai added one each. The hosts’ only goal came from Amir Tuleev.

Ordabasy hit twice as many shots on target – 16 versus 8 – despite having far less possession, 34% to 66%. Currently sixth in the standings, the Shymkent side remain firmly in the medal race, while eighth-placed Aktobe are nine points behind the bronze position – but have a game in hand against Tobol.

Asankhan stops Irtysh

Pavlodar dropped points in Kyzylorda – Kaysar, who lost to Zhas Kyran last round, played out another draw (2:2). The “Wolves” were helped by an early red card for the visitors – Saken Aitmukhamet was sent off in the 8th minute.

Soon after, Yerasyl Asankhan netted twice in six minutes, but Irtysh managed to erase the deficit – goals came from Abulmansur Kasymtai and Ruslan Rakhmetov.

A hard-earned win for Zhas Kyran

A kind of upset almost happened in Atyrau – the Oilers were close to holding Zhas Kyran to a goalless draw. However, in stoppage time of the second half, Azamat Askaruly – who had come on in the 58th minute – scored the winner for the Almaty side.

Entertaining win for Astana

Caspiy and Astana combined for nine goals in Aktau – the final whistle saw the scoreboard reading 3:6. Despite the efforts of Nurgazy Kusayin, who scored twice and assisted Abilkaiyr Zharmukhamet, the capital side were much stronger – goals came from Tamerlan Yeltayev, Alan Azamat, Sanzhar Kuandyk, Alen Pak, Aslanbek Marat and Maksat Abraev.

Aktau’s draw streak has now ended, leaving them with nine points after Round 15 – only Tobol (7) are below them, although the Kostanay side has two games in hand.

No trouble for Kairat

Finally, Kairat secured another confident victory last round. At home, the Almaty side put four unanswered goals past Shakhter, with Abilay Toleukhan recording two goals and an assist. Daulet Orynbasar also impressed, scoring once and setting up Kaisar Malaev.

Thus, the main beneficiary of the round, albeit after a tough match, was Zhas Kyran – the Almaty club are now four points ahead of third-placed Shakhter and have a game in hand. However, the “Miners” still have a chance to keep the gap manageable – they will face Sergey Kirov’s team in Round 16.