Third Season Complete: The Longest-Serving Players in the Freedom QJ League

The league also has its own record-setters – players who have been competing for three consecutive years and have become its veterans.

The standout star among this group is Gleb Makridov of Shakhter. At just 16 years old, he was already playing an important role for his team in the league’s inaugural season. In 2023, Gleb played 12 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist – one of his goals was even named the best of the matchweek. He received the same honor again the following year. In 2024, Makridov earned even more playing time, appearing in 22 matches, scoring 5 goals, and adding 3 assists.

This current season will be his last in the league, as he has reached the maximum age limit. Judging by his performances in the first three matchweeks, Gleb is determined to leave a lasting legacy – he’s already recorded 3 goals and 1 assist.

Another notable name is Azamat Tuyakbayev from Kairat. In 2023, he didn’t get much playing time – just 4 matches and a total of 100 minutes, along with 1 assist. However, his second year was a breakout season: 18 goals and 8 assists in 18 matches.

A two-time Freedom QJ League champion and participant in the QJL All-Star match against Crvena Zvezda, Tuyakbayev became one of the most valuable players in the Fantasy tournament ahead of the new season. So far, he has only appeared in the third matchweek, contributing a goal and an assist in a match against Irtysh.

Aktobe midfielder Robert Asryan is also playing in his third season. In 2023, he accumulated just 28 minutes across 5 matches. A year later, the coaching staff showed much more trust in him: he played 16 matches, totaling 1,253 minutes, with 2 goals and 2 assists.

Two Astana “jokers” – defender Abzal Sagyn and midfielder Alan Azamat – also made their debuts in the inaugural Freedom QJ League season, playing 3 and 5 matches respectively. By 2024, they had become key players for their team: Abzal tallied 12 points (8 goals and 4 assists) in 20 matches, while Alan registered 10 points (6 goals and 4 assists) in 22 appearances. Both players have already contributed this season – in matchweek one, Sagyn scored against Atyrau with an assist from Azamat.

This is also the third season for Caspiy goalkeeper Arnat Beketayev. He had three appearances in 2023 and six more in 2024. In previous seasons, he rarely played full matches, but in the current campaign, he has already played two full games from start to finish.

Some players have been registered but haven’t yet featured this season: Shakhter forward Ruslan Beloborodiy (4 matches in 2023, 22 matches with 3 goals and 2 assists in 2024), as well as goalkeepers Daniil Yefremenko (Irtysh, formerly of Aksu – 3 matches in 2023, 16 in 2024) and Sherkhan Kalmurza (Kairat – 8 matches in 2023 and 17 in 2024). With the season still in its early stages, fans may well see them return to the Freedom QJ League pitches soon.