Thriller in Kostanay, Smakov’s Olympico and Makridov’s performance: Key takeaways from Matchweek 9 of the Freedom QJ League

A tough finish for Astana

Tobol managed to surprise their fans in the main tournament clash against Astana — the match at the Kostanay indoor arena turned out to be highly intense.

The hosts opened the scoring early, with Nurmubarak Zhaksylyk finding the net in the 6th minute. Astana responded through Alen Pak, who scored a brace — his first in the Freedom QJ League since October last year — leveling the game before halftime.

Neither side could score in the second half, but in added time, Tobol were awarded a penalty. After a tense pause, Adai Ormanov stepped up to take the shot — Alihan Shaizada saved it, but Roman Gavrilyuk pounced on the rebound to make it 2–2.

Astana now sit in fifth place in the standings — just two points off second place and five clear of sixth. Tobol remain second from bottom, but the lower half of the table has tightened considerably, suggesting room for movement.

Tribute to Diogo Jota

The week was overshadowed by the tragic passing of Liverpool winger Diogo Jota and his brother André, a midfielder for Penafiel.

In the U-17 match between Astana and Tobol, the capital side paid tribute in style — Sanjar Sadvokasov scored the opener and celebrated in Jota’s signature video-game celebration.



Astana won 2–0 in Kostanay.

Asryan wins it for Aktobe… on the second attempt

The match between the Red-Whites and Taraz saw few chances — the hosts edged it 1–0.

The only goal came from midfielder Robert Asryan, who had two chances from the spot. He missed the first penalty in the 26th minute, but converted the second in the 56th.

Despite the missed chance, Asryan collected 12 points in Fantasy QJ League and now ranks just inside the top 10 overall after Matchweek 9.

Makridov returns

Shakhter crushed Kaisar 5–0 at home, with four of the goals involving Gleb Makridov. He scored twice and provided assists for Ilya Gezik and Miras Kuat.

After a poor run, Makridov had a goal and assist in Matchweek 6, then missed two weekends in June — but now looks fully ready for action.

Naiman Satenov also scored, assisted by Nurkhan Kagazbayev — Satenov now has nine goal contributions (goals + assists) in his last four games.

Shakhter’s U-15 squad (born 2009) also recorded a dominant 7–1 victory.

Smakov scores straight from a corner

Kairat beat Atyrau away from home, but the match wasn’t easy. After a goal by Aliden Musaipov in the 36th minute, the visitors held a fragile lead, and Atyrau kept hope alive.

The expected goals (xG) were nearly identical: 1.01 for Atyrau, 1.02 for Kairat.

In the 70th minute, coach Talgat Kanyshev brought on Alangir Smakov, who, 13 minutes later, scored directly from a corner — a rare and stunning Olympico goal.



Atyrau have now lost three in a row. They sit ninth in the table, just two points off sixth place and three from eleventh.

Hard-fought win for Zhas Kyran

Caspiy still sit bottom of the table, but continue to show resistance — they nearly held off Zhas Kyran.

Despite generating 1.68 xG and recording 7 shots on target, the Almaty side only broke through in the 85th minute. Alen Shakirov chipped Arnat Beketayev from outside the box to finally break the deadlock.

Notably, Zhas Kyran played with 10 men from the 63rd minute after goalkeeper Dulat Askaruly was sent off for kicking an opponent. Ramazan Bayramov replaced him between the posts.

Ordabasy’s bad streak continues

Shymkent’s side suffered a heavy home defeat to Pavlodar — goals were scored against Semyon Sokolov by Almas Rakhimbek (34'), Yelaman Mulikov (60') and Ansar Sapargazinov (90+4').

Ordabasy went down to 10 men in the 55th minute after Zhanali Yesenaliev, who had been booked earlier, received a second yellow for stopping a promising attack. He will miss Matchweek 10.

This was Ordabasy’s fourth consecutive defeat. The team, who had been unbeaten up to Matchweek 6, are now in eighth place in the table.