First Victory for Tobol and Another Poker by Tolendi: What You Need to Know About Matchweek V of the Freedom QJ League

One Less Undefeated Team

Shakhtyor couldn’t hold off Kairat, even with home support – the yellow-blacks won all three matches, thrashing the Karaganda side 7-1 in the main tournament. All goals came from different players, while Nurkhan Kagazbayev scored a consolation goal for Shakhtyor. Gleb Makridov had a chance to score too, but Danila Buch saved his penalty kick.

As a result, only three teams remain unbeaten after five weeks in the U-18 tournament: along with Kairat, they are Ordabasy and Zhas Kyran. The latter almost lost to Atyrau this weekend, but a late goal from Mansur Kartamyssov in the 88th minute saved the day – 2-2.

Tobol’s First Victory – in the U-17 Tournament

This season has been rough for Kostanay – up until this weekend, Tobol had either drawn or lost every match in all three tournaments. But luck finally turned in the fifth week for their U-17 team. Ilyas Bagytzhan’s goal against Taraz gave them a narrow win – and their first points of the tournament, after four straight defeats.

Tobol 2009 now sits in 11th place in the standings – just above Kaisar, who has two draws and three losses.

Tobol could’ve won in the main tournament too – they were leading 2-1 until the 87th minute. However, a well-placed shot by Iliyas Abdrakhi helped Taraz recover from Azizjon Berdiyev’s own goal and snatch a draw.

Tolendi Continues to Dominate

14-year-old Astana midfielder Anuar Tolendi, who scored four goals against Atyrau in the U-16 opener, has done it again – with another four-goal performance, he led his team to a 7-1 demolition of Caspiy.

Tolendi remains the only player in the current Freedom QJ League season to register a poker (4 goals in one match). He now has 11 goals in five weeks – more than the next two top scorers combined. His rivals will have to work hard to catch up.

Ispanov’s Solo Impact

Astana 2009 couldn’t find the net against Caspiy in the first half. That’s when Kairat Toksanbayev brought on Arsen Ispanov after the break – and the forward delivered two goals, the only ones in the match.

These were Ispanov’s first goals of the season. In the previous four matches, he consistently played only 45 minutes, and that tactical approach finally paid off in Matchweek five.

Highest-Scoring Matches of the Week

Freedom QJ League: Shakhtyor – Kairat (1:7)

Freedom QJ League U-17: Zhas Kyran – Atyrau (6:0)

Freedom QJ League U-16: Astana – Caspiy (7:1)