UEFA Youth League: Draw in Shymkent

The club from Shymkent finished second in last season’s Freedom QJ League. The title went to Kairat, but since the Almaty club’s first team qualified for the main stage of the Champions League, their juniors earned a spot in the corresponding path of the Youth League. This way, the national champions’ path quota went to Ordabasy.

The opponent of the Kazakhstani team in the first round was Minsk Dinamo. Freedom QJ League provided Ordabasy with financial support within the assistance program for Kazakhstan’s representative in the UEFA Youth League national champions’ path. Before each round, the League allocates the club 12.5 million tenge, which can be spent only on pre-approved needs. This may include improving the quality of logistics and accommodation for away matches, organizing home fixtures, or motivational payments to the team staff. The maximum amount Ordabasy can earn in the European campaign is 100 million tenge if they reach the tournament final.

Thanks to the League’s support, various pre-match activities were organized for the fans: face painting, a photo booth, games, contests, prize draws, and live music.

The game ended in a draw. Both teams struggled to score for a long time, until the 78th minute, when Dinamo midfielder Yegor Molchan converted a penalty. Two minutes later, on the 80th, Ordabasy managed to equalize through forward Maksim Gamayunov.

The second game will take place on September 30 – also in Shymkent, but without spectators.