Young but Experienced: Which League Veterans Could Participate in Season Three?

For example, the record for the most matches played in the League currently belongs to Nursultan Abdulla from Caspiy with 44 games, while the record for the most minutes on the field is held by Ordabasy academy graduate Zhassulan Amir (3,727 minutes). However, these players will no longer be able to improve their records, as they will turn 19 in 2025.

However, there are plenty of players with a great chance to complete their third season in the League and set new records. These players can be found in ten different clubs.

It is worth noting that the core of the U-18 tournament in the upcoming season will consist of players born in 2008, though each club is allowed to register up to five players born a year later. Additionally, we have not included players who have been registered for the upcoming KPL season, as this indicates that they are already being considered for the first team.

Aktobe

The red-and-whites have three academy players who could take part in their third season of the Freedom QJ League. These are midfielder Alisher Zhakishov (36 matches) and defenders Daryn Ospan and Robert Asryan, with 25 and 21 matches, respectively. Notably, Ospan also played 14 games for the club’s U-21 team in the First League last season, so there is every reason to expect him to feature in the senior squads.

Goalkeeper Sayatkhan Kussainov (31 league matches) was also born in 2007, but he has been included in Aktobe’s squad for the KPL season.

Astana

Among the players from the capital club featured in this selection are midfielder Alan Azamat (27 matches) and defender Abzal Sagyn (23 matches). Sagyn played only three games in the 2023 season without recording any goal contributions, but a year later, he made a significant impact with eight goals and four assists in 20 matches.

Additionally, defender Dastan Kalym (19 matches) could continue his participation in the QJ League. He joined Astana midway through the 2024 season from Aksu, though he played only three league matches last year.

Zhas Kyran

Zhas Kyran has three players who could enter their third season in the League in 2025: goalkeeper Timur Abdullayev (15 matches), defender Yerassyl Temershi (18 matches), and midfielder Ildar Abaidullayev (13 matches). However, the majority of their playing time came last year.

Ertis

Two Pavlodar players could enter their third season in the League: midfielder Maxim Steblyukov (32 matches) and goalkeeper Daniil Yefremenko (19 matches). Both started receiving consistent playing time last season.

Kairat

Among the yellow-and-black players eligible for a third season in the League, but not included in the first-team squad, are goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza (25 matches), defender Adlan Nurgaliyev (25 matches), midfielders Azamat Tuyakbayev and Karim Makhametzhan (22 and 26 matches, respectively), and forward Ismail Murtaza (17 matches). Notably, all of them except Murtaza gained experience playing for Kairat-Zhastar in the First League last season.

Kaisar

The main veteran of the Kyzylorda club in the upcoming Freedom QJ League season could be midfielder Ilyas Sultanbek, who has played 28 matches over two seasons — nine fewer than Islam Dauletbayev, who was born in 2006.

Caspiy

Ten academy players from the Aktau club are eligible to compete in their third season in the League. These include goalkeepers Arnat Beketayev (9 matches) and Issatay Baizhigit (32 matches), defenders Mukhammed Kuanysh, Nurzhan Silagan, and Andrey Grigoryev (39, 37, and 20 matches, respectively), midfielders Nurdaulet Alimbekov, Arseniy Blokhin, Timur Kuanov, and Nurgali Moldakadyr (41, 39, 30, and 18 matches, respectively), as well as forward Nurassyl Abilkairov (31 matches).

All of these players were born in 2007, but only five can be included in the squad for the season. With Caspiy's first team set to compete in the First League in 2025, these young players will have a solid opportunity to break into the senior squad.

Ordabasy

Bagdaulet Nuraly, who scored 25 goals in 29 matches, has been included in the first-team squad. Aside from him, the only player technically eligible for a third season in the League is goalkeeper Aidos Anarbayev. However, in 2023, he played just one minute, coming on as a substitute in the closing moments of a match against Kaisar.

Taraz

Among Taraz players, goalkeeper Nurmambet Onlassyn (24 matches) and defenders Temirlan Torebek and Yertore Zhanibekuly (26 and 23 matches, respectively) have a chance to compete in their third season in the League.

Notably, Onlassyn won the Freedom Mobile award for the best save of the month in both seasons — once in October 2023 and again in June 2024.

Shakhtyor

Gleb Makridov could become the League’s all-time leader in matches played this season. The midfielder has already featured in 34 games, scoring 7 goals and providing 3 assists. Interestingly, Makridov was twice recognized for scoring the best goal of the round, in both 2023 and 2024.

Besides Makridov, forward Ruslan Beloborodyi is also eligible for a third season in the Freedom QJ League. He has played 26 matches over two seasons, recording 3 goals and 2 assists — all of which came last year.

The Season’s Top Scorer, All-Star Game Participants, and More: QJ League Players in the KPL-2025 Squads

Two-time champions and standout Matchweek heroes: QJ League players in the KPL-2025 rosters