A preview of the next round of the girls’ tournament.
Astana – Ordabasy
Astana have made it through the opening four rounds without dropping a single point, collecting 12 out of a possible 12. They remain the only team with a perfect record. The capital side can also boast an excellent defence, having conceded just once this season and kept three clean sheets.
Ordabasy sit seventh and are still waiting for their first victory, although they picked up their first points in the last two rounds with draws against Shakhter (3:3) and Aktobe (1:1). The Shymkent club finished fourth last year, so their current position gives them every reason to step up. However, breaking down the competition’s strongest defence will not be easy: can the visitors spring a surprise?
Irtysh – Kairat
Kairat bounced back from their defeat to Astana in the previous round by thrashing Tobyl 6:1. The Almaty side’s tally of 17 goals is the best in the competition. The reigning champions’ attack is led by Angelina Klenova and Milena Nikolenko, last year’s Golden Boot winner, with four goals each.
Irtysh, meanwhile, remain bottom of the table with just one point. Pavlodar goalkeeper Aruzhan Sagiyeva has already made 21 saves in three matches – the third-highest total in the tournament.
Will the spectators witness a major upset in this match? We will find out soon.
Aktobe – Shakhter
Arguably the most evenly matched fixture of the round. Shakhter are the only team apart from Astana who remain unbeaten and currently sit third with eight points.
Aktobe, who have five points, are the closest challengers to the competition’s surprise package. However, the Red and Whites dropped points in the previous round after drawing 1:1 with Ordabasy. Losing to a direct rival could prove costly.
Will Shakhter extend their unbeaten run, or will Aktobe move up the table?
Tobyl – Kaisar
Two neighbouring teams in the standings meet in a match where both sides need points. Tobyl are fifth with four points, while Kaisar sit sixth, one point behind the hosts.
The visitors have conceded more goals than any other team in the competition so far, with 17. Meanwhile, Shamsiya Zarlykhan, who has scored all four of Kaisar’s goals, has failed to find the net in her last two appearances – can she rediscover her finishing touch in this important encounter?
