QJ League Awards 2025: Best Defender Shortlist

The finalists for the individual honor are Vasiliy Leontyev (Shakhtyor), Alikhan Zheksenbek (Astana), and Akezhan Kalikulov (Kairat).

Vasiliy Leontyev played 20 matches this season, starting in all of them. He recorded 261 tackles and recoveries, as well as 136 interceptions. In addition, he won 52% of duels (184 out of 354) and completed 79% of his passes (594 out of 756). Leontyev also scored three goals.

Alikhan Zheksenbek made 906 successful passes out of 1064 (85% accuracy) in 16 appearances. He registered 224 tackles and recoveries and 56 interceptions. Zheksenbek won 59% of his duels (134 out of 229), scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Akezhan Kalikulov featured in 12 matches, scoring one goal and delivering three assists. He completed 325 of 429 passes (76% accuracy), won 172 of 298 duels (58%), and made 125 tackles and recoveries along with 39 interceptions.

The name of the award winner will be revealed during the QJ League Awards ceremony on November 1.

As a reminder, in 2023, the award for Best Defender went to Ruslan Zakharov from Zhas Kyran, while in the following season it was claimed by Amirbek Bazarbayev of Kairat.