.webp)
The fourth matchweek of League A has come to an end. We look back at the key events of the flagship tournament.
Shakhter drop points
One of the league leaders, Karagandy’s Shakhter, saw their winning run come to an end after a 1-1 away draw against Aktobe.
Both goals came in the same spell of the match: Shakhter defender Zhanibek Zhailaubek opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, before Roman Shapovalov equalized in the 66th.
Interestingly, this was the first draw of the current U-18 tournament campaign — before that, every match had ended with one side winning.
It is also worth noting that Shakhter still have one of the most effective defensive lines in the flagship tournament. They have conceded only two goals after four matchweeks — only Kairat have done better in that regard.
The draw proved quite costly for Aktobe in terms of cautions, as the red-and-whites received five yellow cards in the match.
A narrow win for Kairat
The yellow-and-blacks managed to extend their winning streak after facing Tobol in Kostanay — but it was far from easy. The teams struggled to break each other down for a long time, and the match seemed to be heading toward a goalless draw when Abylai Zhilkaidar finally found the net for the visitors in the 85th minute. The game ended 1-0.
Kairat therefore remain the only team in the flagship tournament yet to concede a single goal. At the same time, the Almaty side have scored 23 goals across the opening four matchweeks.
Zhas Kyran thrash Irtysh
The tournament’s second Almaty-based leader claimed a heavy win over the visitors from Pavlodar. The match ended 4-1. Timur Ippolitov and Nurbol Nurlan scored one goal each for the hosts, while Sergey Sharunov netted a brace. For Irtysh, Timur Titarenko was the only player to get on the scoresheet.
As a result, only Zhas Kyran and Kairat have collected the maximum 12 points from 12 after four matchweeks.
A confident win for KFF Academy
Like Irtysh, Kaspiy also failed to pick up points in the fourth matchweek. The away trip brought the Aktau side their first heavy defeat of the season — a 4-0 loss to KFF Academy. Sultan Daurenov, Nikita Lisokhmar, Radmir Khizmetov and Mansur Bolat scored for the hosts.
Perhaps Kaspiy could have changed the course of the match early in the second half, when the visitors were awarded a penalty. However, Shakhmardan Demesin’s effort from the spot was saved by the goalkeeper.
Four goals in the first half
In the capital, Astana defeated Taraz. The final score was already set before the break: home midfielder Kuandyk Khamidullin opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Rasul Nurmanbai equalized in the 29th minute — also from 11 metres.
The remaining two goals, which ultimately decided the winner, came from open play in the 36th and 39th minutes. Arsen Ispanov and Meirzhan Serik were the scorers.
It is worth noting that Taraz had twice as many shots as Astana — 24 attempts compared to 12. However, the number of shots on target was close: six for the capital side and five for the southerners.
Turdakh and Rakhimzhanov give Ordabasy the win
The match in Kyzylorda between Kaisar and Ordabasy ended in a confident 4-1 victory for the Shymkent side.
The visitors scored twice in the first half — and both times it was Adilbek Turdakh finishing after assists from Diyar Rakhimzhanov. Between those two goals, Ordabasy were reduced to ten men after defender Mukhyt Abdulakhmed was sent off.
Even so, Ordabasy managed to keep the game under control. In the 57th minute, Zhandos Doskhal made it a three-goal margin, and although Kaisar midfielder Sultanali Umirtai pulled one back in the 88th minute, the final word belonged to the visitors. Ordabasy’s fourth goal was scored by Shyngys Kozhakhmetov.
Top scorers after Matchweek 4: Daulet Orynbasar of Kairat and Sergey Sharunov of Zhas Kyran — 5 goals each.
Top assist providers after Matchweek 4: Diyar Rakhimzhanov of Ordabasy, Alan Lukanin of Zhas Kyran, Tore Ismagulov and Abylai Toleukhan, both of Kairat — 3 assists each.
