Who can play for Ordabasy in the UEFA Youth League: Bagdaulet Nuraly and Zhassulan Amir

Let us recall that Ordabasy finished second in last season’s Freedom QJ League. Initially, the spot belonged to Kairat. However, since the senior “yellow-and-black” team reached the main stage of the Champions League, Almaty’s youth side automatically secured their place in the corresponding UEFA Youth League path. The vacant spot was transferred to the silver medalists, Ordabasy.

The first match will take place on September 26 in Shymkent. Let’s introduce the players who could become the leaders of Ordabasy’s upcoming European campaign.

Two players who helped the Shymkent side win silver medals in the 2024 Freedom QJ League are already playing in the Kazakhstan Premier League – Bagdaulet Nuraly and Zhassulan Amir. Both are 18 years old, which makes them eligible to participate in the upcoming UEFA Youth League.

Nuraly was the top scorer of last year’s Freedom QJ League. He played 22 matches, scoring 22 goals and providing 6 assists. Thanks to his high efficiency, Bagdaulet was included in the QJL All Star squad and played the entire first half against Crvena Zvezda Belgrade.

He also took part in the League’s inaugural season, scoring three goals and making two assists in seven matches.

Now Bagdaulet is gaining experience with the senior team – this season he has 171 minutes in the top division. He has yet to record goal contributions in the Premier League, but it’s all still ahead of him.

As for Zhassulan, the defender played two full seasons in the Freedom QJ League – from 2023 to 2024. Over that period, he made 42 appearances. Last season, Amir registered ten goal contributions – six goals and four assists.

It is worth noting that in the summer Bagdaulet and Zhassulan underwent a two-week trial at the Brazilian club Botafogo.

Will we see these players in the UEFA Youth League? We’ll find out soon.