Here is how Matchweek 14 of Freedom QJ League B unfolded.
Six Goals and a Stoppage-Time Twist
The most dramatic game of the matchweek took place in Shymkent, where Ontustyk hosted the league leaders.
The visitors controlled the first half. Ilyas Serikbayev opened the scoring in the 35th minute, before defender Yerdaulet Ismailov doubled the advantage in stoppage time. However, after the break, the hosts needed just six minutes to draw level, with Arda Mukhtarov scoring twice.
It looked as though there would be no more goals, but late substitute Nurgisa Sharipbay put Zhenis back in front in the closing stages. The Astana side were able to celebrate for less than a minute, as Asylbek Fakhriddinov soon struck to make it 3:3.
For Ontustyk, who sit sixth with 18 points, it was a valuable draw. For the leaders, however, dropping points proved costly.
Khan-Tengri Cut the Gap to One Point
The Almaty side took full advantage, beating Okzhetpes 2:1 at home.
The first half ended goalless, but the second began at a frantic pace. Timur Khvan broke the deadlock in the 50th minute before Timur Deshko converted a penalty six minutes later.
The visitors soon responded from the spot themselves, with Arsen Arapov making no mistake. However, that proved to be Okzhetpes’ only goal of the game.
Khan-Tengri now have 30 points, just one behind Zhenis on 31. Okzhetpes remain on 23 points, five behind third-placed Jaiyq.
Dauletuly Brace and Two Red Cards in Uralsk
Jaiyq and Zhetysu played out an eventful 2:2 draw.
The hosts took the lead through captain Damir Zalmukanov in the 34th minute. Shortly after the break, the visitors were reduced to ten men when Madi Salimov received his second yellow card in the 49th minute. Paradoxically, it was after going a man down that Zhetysu turned the game around, as Aibyn Dauletuly scored twice in the space of three minutes.
The numbers were levelled in the 68th minute when Jaiyq’s Alikhan Serikuly was shown a straight red card for aggressive conduct. Substitute Vadim Kurilin rescued a point for the hosts with an 85th-minute equaliser.
His brace moved Dauletuly into second place in the scoring charts, with the Zhetysu forward now on eight goals. Jaiyq have still not managed to beat Zhetysu this season, having lost the reverse fixture 1:0.
Yelimay End Their Losing Streak
The game in Semey ended in a 4:2 home victory over Kyzylzhar. Yelimay were already 3:0 up by half-time thanks to goals from Daniyal Toleubayev, Anas Adylkhanov and Miras Gylymbekov. Vadim Saibel converted a penalty in the 52nd minute. The visitors responded through Diar Bagyt and Yegor Lavrenko, but they were unable to complete the comeback.
The victory gave the Semey side their first points after five consecutive defeats. Yelimay also remain the only team in the competition yet to draw a match this season: 14 games, five wins and nine defeats.
Altai Earn a Point in Atyrau
The team at the bottom of the table continue to pick up points. The visitors opened the scoring in Atyrau in the 51st minute through Abilmansur Manabayev. Just four minutes later, Atyrau captain Ayan Garipulla restored parity, but neither side was able to find another goal. The match ended 1:1.
The hosts finished the game with ten men after Ruslan Tolendi received his second yellow card in the 89th minute. Interestingly, both meetings between the teams this season have ended with the same scoreline.
Atyrau are seventh with 16 points, while Altai remain bottom of the table with six.
Four Matchweeks to Go
The title race has entered its final stretch, with just three points separating Zhenis (31), Khan-Tengri (30) and Jaiyq (28). The top two are also still due to meet in Almaty in the second half of the season. Zhenis won their first meeting 5:1.
Top scorer after Matchweek 14: Zhanadi Zhumabek (Khan-Tengri, 9 goals).
Top assist provider after Matchweek 14: Nuraly Sabyrzhan (Okzhetpes, 5 assists).
