The intrigue continues: Highlights of Matchweek 9 in Freedom QJ League B

Draw between the leaders

The central game of the round featured two table leaders — the current frontrunner, the KFF Academy, and last season’s U-17 champions, Ontustik.

It initially seemed like the outcome was clear: Platon Shipitsin scored a brace, and by the 56th minute the hosts were leading 2-0. However, the team from Shymkent did not give up — Temirlan Yermek pulled one back in the 63rd minute, and Alikhan Ali equalized in the 74th.

This draw opened the door for another title contender — Okzhetpes now trails Ontustik only on tiebreakers and is just two points behind the KFF Academy.

Notably, Alikhan Ali ended the first half of the season with an impressive achievement — the Shymkent striker scored at least one goal in every match.

Altay snatches dramatic win over Zhetysu

In Ust-Kamenogorsk, the home side took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to Alihan Kusainov, but quickly lost the advantage — Rakhymzhan Otarbai equalized in the 19th. In the 65th minute, Zhetysu even went ahead with a goal from Aidos Aldabergenov, and until the dying minutes, the scoreboard favored the visitors.

Nevertheless, Altay pulled off a dramatic comeback: first, Ozhan Sabyrzhanov made it 2-2 in the 89th, and then Aliarslan Zakenov sealed the win in stoppage time — 3:2.