We recap another weekend of action in the flagship competition.
No surprises in the derby of the two capitals
The reigning champions remain flawless this season as the Yellow and Blacks thrashed Astana 6-0 at Timur Segizbayev Stadium.
The outcome was effectively decided before half-time. Alikhan Abdi opened the scoring in the fourth minute, Sultanali Abduali and Tarlan Yerbulatov struck in the 17th and 22nd minutes, while Alikhan Zhumabek added another in first-half stoppage time. Abdullah Bigali and Daulet Orynbasar completed the scoring after the break.
Kairat have collected all 39 available points, scoring 59 goals and conceding only five – an average of 4.5 goals per match. For Astana, meanwhile, this was a third consecutive defeat, leaving the capital side in eighth place.
Shakhter keep the gap unchanged
The Miners scored three unanswered goals against Irtysh in Karaganda.
Rasul Akimov opened the scoring in the tenth minute before Artem Alekseev and Danil Zolkin found the net in the second half. Irtysh were awarded a penalty in the 47th minute, but Yaroslav Kolesnik struck the post.
Shakhter remain second with 30 points and boast the league’s second-best defensive record, having conceded only eight goals. They trail Kairat by nine points, with nine matchweeks remaining. Irtysh stay bottom with eight points.
Ordabasy’s winning run continues
The Shymkent side hosted Tobyl and claimed all three points with a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Kudiret Botabek opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but Nazar Zakharchenko equalised from the penalty spot in the 20th. Adilbek Turdakh scored the winning goal for the hosts in the 57th minute.
Ordabasy have now won five matches in a row and remain firmly in third place with 26 points. Tobyl stay fifth, with their goals scored and conceded back level at 13-13.
KFF Academy win in Kyzylorda
The youngest team in the flagship competition recorded their second consecutive victory, although they were made to work hard for it.
Kaisar scored against KFF Academy as early as the second minute through defender Zhalgas Sailaubek. However, the Wolves were unable to protect their lead. Askhat Dutpayev equalised before half-time, while David Zarechny and Argyn Zhumageldy scored in the second half to seal a 3-1 away victory.
It was a physical encounter, with the referee showing seven yellow cards, mostly for rough play.
KFF Academy now have 17 points and sit seventh, behind Zhas Kyran on goal difference. Kaisar are winless in five matches and remain ninth.
Aktobe snatch victory in Aktau
The most dramatic finish of the matchweek came at BS Arena, where Aktobe defeated Caspiy 3-2.
A brace from Red and Whites midfielder Bikzhan Zhanayev, with both goals assisted by Ayan Amanzhulov, appeared to have settled the contest. However, the hosts refused to give up. Ramazan Amangeldiyev pulled one back in the 74th minute before Nurdaulet Sarsengali restored parity in the 81st.
Caspiy’s joy did not last long, as Ibrahim Bauyrzhanov scored the winning goal for the visitors in the 85th minute.
The Red and Whites climb to fourth place with 19 points. Caspiy suffered their tenth defeat of the season and remain the only team in the competition yet to record a draw.
Taraz claim their first win in a long time
The only match of the round settled by a single goal took place at Zhastar Stadium.
Taraz defeated Zhas Kyran thanks to a precise finish from Rasul Nurmanbay, who came on at half-time.
It was the southern side’s first victory since Matchweek 5, ending a seven-match winless run.
Zhas Kyran, meanwhile, began the season with four consecutive victories but have now lost three matches in a row. The Almaty side have slipped to sixth place and are in serious danger of falling out of the race for the medals.
Top scorer after Matchweek 13: Daulet Orynbasar (Kairat, 14 goals).
Top assist provider after Matchweek 13: Ayan Amanzhulov (Aktobe, 7 assists).
