The Battle for Medals Heats Up: Review of Matchweek 10 of Freedom QJ League W

Tobol on the Rise

It was a perfect round for the Kostanay side – Denis Safronov’s team, who had picked up just five points in five July matches, demolished Zhetysu 9–1 and, capitalising on rivals’ losses, climbed to third place in the table.

Key roles in the win over the Taldykorgan team were played by Asem Doskeyeva (one goal and two assists) and Aya Kusainova (two goals). Goals also came from Assel Sanat, Anastasia Sherstneva, Amura Karabayeva, and Asem Uskinbayeva – interestingly, all of their first names start with the same letter. The other two goals were own goals from Zhetysu defender Madina Mukhtar.

For the hosts, the consolation goal was scored by Ainur Anuarbek, assisted by Nuray Bolatova – her eighth goal involvement of the season.

Despite Tobol’s good fortune in breaking into the top three, their advantage remains fragile – four rounds remain, and the gap from the second-bottom place is just two points.

Rybak’s Hat-Trick in Aktobe

With only a few matches left in the season, Astana are not ready to let Kairat secure the title early. The capital club battled hard to beat Aktobe away.

Sofya Rybak’s two first-half goals gave her team a comfortable lead, but the “red-and-whites” refused to surrender – in the 56th minute, Aizhan Yesirkepova pulled one back. Soon after, Asyl Pazyl found the net for the visitors, only for Aktobe to respond almost immediately through a Malika Askarova penalty. Astana’s lead remained shaky until stoppage time, when Rybak struck again to seal the 4–2 win.

Shakhter End Their Winless Streak

There was an unexpected outcome in Karaganda. The “Cinderellas” collected their first points since late June, defeating Ordabasy.

The match was decided by Kseniya Sander’s 42nd-minute strike and Damira Maksat’s 69th-minute goal. Maksat provided the assist for the opener, while Saida Dyusembayeva set up the second. This duo, so effective early in the season, had not produced a goal contribution in six matches – what can we expect from Damira and Saida next?

The win kept Shakhter in the medal race – with Zhetysu the only team already out of contention.

Kairat Stay on Top

We have already covered the match that could have turned into the tournament’s biggest upset – Kairat almost dropped points in Pavlodar.

However, they held on, and with a narrow away victory, the “yellow-and-blacks” maintained their six-point lead over Astana. Four matches remain, including the two-capital derby in Matchweek 13.