Vibrant Matches and a Symbolic Graduation: What You Need to Know About Matchweek VI of the Freedom QJ League

Kairat Extends Its Lead

The yellow-and-blacks faced no difficulties in any of their three matches against Tobol. The U-16 clash ended in a 10:1 win, the 2009-born Kairat team scored eight unanswered goals, and the main tournament saw a convincing 6:1 result on the scoreboard at the final whistle.

Notably, 14-year-old Roman Chernomorets – once the youngest debutant in the league – scored a brace for the U-17 squad. The main tournament’s top scorer, Abylay Toleukhan, reinforced his dominance with another two goals. He now has eight goals and three assists in six matches, making him the leader in both goals and combined goal+assist stats.

Also impressive is Alamgir Smakov, who has scored in three consecutive matches despite playing limited minutes.

Astana’s Crucial Comeback

Last season’s U-17 silver medalists, now competing in the main tournament, appear determined to get back to winning ways. After their win over Caspiy, they faced Irtysh in Pavlodar – a match that initially went poorly for the capital side. On 32 minutes, Ruslan Rakhmetov opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

But head coach Yerbol Mussabayev’s substitutions proved decisive: second-half substitutes Aslanbek Marat and Yermukhammed Bessengaliyev scored to secure a 2:1 victory for Astana.

First Loss for Ordabasy – in a Southern Derby

Only two teams from Almaty remain unbeaten heading into the exam break – Kairat and Zhas Kyran, the latter defeating Aktobe last weekend. Shymkent’s Ordabasy lost its undefeated status after falling to Taraz in an away match. Abdukhalik Buribayev’s squad failed to respond to an 18th-minute goal by Yerkebulan Naukhanbay.

Taraz is now in 8th place, but just four points behind second-place Irtysh.

Oleynik’s Breakout Moment

Shakhteyor bounced back in style from their heavy defeat to Kairat, thrashing Caspiy 9:1 in Aktau. The star of the match was Gleb Oleynik, the team’s super-sub, who scored a hat-trick and provided an assist in just 70 minutes on the pitch. It was only his second appearance of the season – in his previous full match against Tobol, he failed to register a goal or assist.

Another Gleb, Makridov, also found the net at BS Arena. He now has four goals this season — the same as teammate Nurkhan Kagazbayev, Ruslan Rakhmetov of Irtysh, and Matvey Borisov of Atyrau. Only Kairat players Abylay Toleukhan (8) and Daulet Orynbassar (5) have scored more.

Goodbye, School!

This past weekend, 218 Freedom QJ League players officially graduated from school. Many of them missed their "last bell" ceremonies to be on the pitch with their teams.

To make sure they still experienced this important and emotional moment, the League once again organized a symbolic ceremony: the graduating players took to the field wearing traditional graduation sashes.

Highest-Scoring Matches of the Week

Freedom QJ League: Caspiy – Shakhtyor (1:9)

Freedom QJ League U-17: Kairat – Tobol (8:0)

Freedom QJ League U-16: Kairat – Tobol (10:1)