Ordabasy defeated Yelimay 3-1 in the 18th round, with Norwegian striker Bjorn Jonsen scoring in his fifth consecutive match. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Following Armenian Alashkert in European competitions, Semey's Yelimay lost to Ordabasy in Shymkent in the 18th round of the 2026 KPL – 1:3. The score was opened by Norwegian forward Bjorn Jonsen, who has scored in five consecutive games.

The 35-year-old striker Jonsen, who moved to Shymkent from Saudi Arabia's Al-Wehda, scores in every match for Ordabasy – both in the national championship and in the Cup. The Scandinavian opened the scoring today in the 7th minute of the home match against Yelimay – 1:0.

However, just five minutes later, Togolese Belgian Eloge Mame Placca Fessou equalized. But the subsequent course of the match clearly demonstrated the hosts' superiority. Before the break, Cameroonian Guy-Marcelin Kilama put Andrey Martin's team ahead, and in the second half, Elkhan Astanov flawlessly converted a penalty – 3:1.

Without Ramazan Orazov, who was injured in the first game against the Armenians and is out for the rest of the season, Yelimay's potential significantly decreased. Andrey Karpovich's wards lacked creativity in midfield and near the opponent's penalty area, both in European competitions and in today's match.

With the victory, Ordabasy once again overtook Kairat, who had led after Saturday's round matches.

Other matches of the round:

⚽ ALTAI (Ust-Kamenogorsk) – AKTOBE 2:4 (0:2). Goals: Ordets 20 (0:1), Sosa 30 (0:2), Yerlanov 55 (0:3), Podstrelov 73 (1:3), Sosa 81 (1:4), Dzhambor 90+2 (2:4). Sent off: Michevich (Altai, 90+3)

⚽ ORDABASY (Shymkent) – YELIMAY (Semey) 3:1 (2:1). Goals: Jonsen 7 (1:0), Placca Fessou 12 (1:1), Kilama 37 (2:1), E. Astanov 60 penalty (3:1)

⚽ OKZHETPES (Kokshetau) – ZHETYSU (Taldykorgan) 2:0 (1:0). Goals: Borodin 22 penalty (1:0), Zhangylyshbay 90+2 (2:0). Sent off: Zivanovic (Zhetysu, 75)

⚽ ZHENIS (Astana) – ULYTAU (Zhezkazgan) 1:1 (0:0). Goals: Zulfikarov 65 (0:1), Khassein 86 (1:1)

⚽ KYZYLZHAR (Petropavlovsk) – TOBOL (Kostanay) 1:1 (1:1). Goals: Zuev 31 (0:1), Latifi 40 (1:1)

⚽ KAISAR (Kyzylorda) – CASPIY (Aktau) 1:1 (1:0). Goals: Mukhamed 41 (1:0), Sylla 90 (1:1). Sent off: Morgado (Casp, 88)

⚽ ATYRAU – KAIRAT (Almaty) 1:3 (0:3). Goals: Prce 8 (0:1), Edmilson 15 (0:2), Edmilson 24 (0:3), Devenish 70 (1:3)

A brace from Niger forward Daniel Sosa contributed to Aktobe's away victory over Altai. Having started poorly, Aktobe are gradually improving their tournament position. They are now fifth in the table.

In the central match of the 19th round, Kairat will host Ordabasy on July 26. On the same day, Tobol – Atyrau, Yelimay – Kaisar, Astana – Altai, and Caspiy – Zhenis will play. On July 25, the next round will begin with matches Ulytau – Irtysh, Zhetysu – Kyzylzhar, and Aktobe – Okzhetpes.