Kazakhstan's Yelimay from Semey played its first-ever European club match, drawing 1-1 with Armenia's Alashkert in Yerevan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

First qualifying round. First leg. July 9

⚽ ALASHKERT (Yerevan, Armenia) – YELIMAY (Semey, Kazakhstan) 1:1 (0:0). Goals: Ashirbek 60 (0:1), Terteyan 86 (1:1)

Early in the match, the Kazakhs suffered a significant loss. On the 15th minute, captain Ramazan Orazov left the field due to injury. Even without their leader, Andrei Karpovich's team looked more active. However, sharp chances at both goals were scarce for a long time.

On the 33rd minute, a promising shot by Akmal Bakhtiyarov was parried by Arsen Baglaryan. In the first half, each team managed only one shot on target. Like his Armenian counterpart, Semey's Russian goalkeeper Ivan Konovalov was alert.

The second half began more sharply for the hosts. On the 52nd minute, Konovalov saved an unpleasant shot from Alashkert captain Karen Nalbandyan. Soon after, the crossbar saved the guests after a long-range shot from Zimbabwean Joseph Sabobo.

The Kazakhs responded with a goal. On the 60th minute, Ivan Sviridov set up Arsen Ashirbek for a shot straight down the center of the goal. Ashirbek scored while falling to make it 1-0.

If Eloge Meme Placca Fessou had scored a second goal afterward, the match would have been decided. However, the Togolese-Belgian forward of Yelimay, after dribbling past the goalkeeper and facing an empty net, slipped.

Instead of a 2-0 victory for the Kazakhs, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. On the 86th minute, Nalbandyan took a corner, and David Terteyan, jumping over two defenders, equalized – 1:1.

Immediately after, the stadium lights went out. After play resumed, substitute Zhan-Ali Payruz almost brought victory to the guests. His shot hit the crossbar.

The return leg will take place in Semey in a week. All tickets for Yelimay's first home match in the Conference League qualification have already been sold. The winner of the Kazakhstan-Armenia tie will face Romanian club CFR in the second qualifying round on July 23 and 30.

Late tonight, an hour before the start of the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal France vs. Morocco, Astana will begin its European campaign. The vice-champions of Kazakhstan will play in the Albanian capital Tirana against local side Dinamo City.

To reach the group stage of the Conference League, both Semey and Astana must overcome four qualifying rounds. Kazakhstan Cup winner Tobol needs three. The Kostanay side will enter in the second qualifying round, facing Lithuanian club Panevezys.

Group stage matches of the third-tier European competition will be held from October 15 to December 17.

The 2026/27 Conference League final will take place on June 2, 2027, at Besiktas Park in Istanbul. The current trophy holder, English club Crystal Palace, defeated Spanish side Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in the final on May 27 in Leipzig.

Yesterday, Kairat started its Champions League qualification campaign, snatching a 2-1 home victory over Montenegro's Sutjeska.