The battle is heating up: what you need to know about Matchweek 17 of the Freedom QJ League

Misfortune for the Oilers

Atyrau and Kaisar, as expected, produced a hard-fought draw on the oilmen’s home turf – 2:2.
In the 37th minute, defender Maksat Muratov opened the scoring from the penalty spot, but the Wolves equalized right before halftime thanks to Zhanbolat Azimkhan. Then Dinmukhamed Bagytzhan once again put Atyrau ahead, but Alibek Zharylkasynuly leveled the score – Azimkhan, the author of the first goal, provided the assist.

It is worth noting that Atyrau had several penalty attempts – but only the first out of three was successful.

Astana took their chance

The match at the House of Football ended with a swap between the fourth and fifth teams of the table – Astana jumped ahead by beating Irtysh in a tense and emotional game.

Already in the 6th minute, the capital side opened the scoring through Abzal Sagyn, but by the 13th the score was level again – Elaman Mulikov struck back.

Astana’s savior was Pak, who scored his first hat-trick of the season. Between his second and third goals, Shakhtyor only managed to pull one back (Ruslan Rakhmetov converted a penalty). The final score of 4:2 was set in the 57th minute.
Both teams finished with 10 men – Abzal Sagyn and Alimzhan Abdykalyk were sent off after receiving second yellows for rough play.

Zhas Kyran back on winning track

After two consecutive defeats, Sergey Kirov’s side finally managed to regroup and win – the Almaty team beat Aktobe.
The first half ended goalless, but in the second Arafat Valiev and Bekzhan Khafizov found the net, while the Red and Whites failed to score.

This was Aktobe’s fourth defeat in a row. Next up for them is a clash with table neighbor Atyrau.

Makridov steadily closing in on the record

Shakhtyor demolished Caspiy, netting five unanswered goals at home. Ramazan Oral scored a brace, while Gleb Makridov, Yerasyl Amalbayev, and Ilya Gezik each added one.

The Miners continue their chase for second place – the gap to Zhas Kyran is only one point.

There are still five games left – and Gleb Makridov needs five more goals to equal Dastan Satpayev as the all-time top scorer in the league’s history. So far, Shakhtyor’s “joker” is steadily moving towards his goal.

Gap in the middle of the table widens

Ordabasy had no trouble beating Taraz in the southern derby – 4:1.

Zhanali Yesenaliev converted two penalties, while Timur Rakhimov and Kudiret Botabek scored from open play – both assisted by Dinmukhammed Makhmudov.

Taraz’s only goal came from Erkebulan Naukhanbay. The gap between the sixth and seventh teams in the standings has now grown to nine points.

In the next round, Ordabasy will be without Talant Kuanish – the defender was booked for rough play in the 39th minute, and then sent off for unsporting behavior in the 67th.

No surprises in Kostanay

Tobol failed to deliver an upset against Kairat – the league leaders won 2:0 away.

Sanat Nurbolat and Daulet Orynbasar got on the scoresheet. Orynbasar’s goal helped him extend his lead in the scoring race – he now has 17 goals. His teammate Abylay Toleukhan is on 15, while Shakhtyor’s Gleb Makridov sits third with 14.