Ordabasy footballers took first place after the first round of the Kazakhstan Premier League. In the 15th round, the South Kazakhstan team won 1-0 against Ulytau in Zhezkazgan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The winning goal was scored by former Norway national team striker Bjørn Johnsen, who moved to Shymkent from Saudi club Al-Wehda in early June. The 34-year-old forward, playing his third match for Ordabasy, has experience in the leagues of the Netherlands, Scotland, USA, Georgia, South Korea, and Norway.

In the 41st minute, the newcomer to the KPL leaders headed in a cross from Ukrainian Yuriy Vakulko from the right flank of the guests' attack.

Other results of Round 15

  • 01**Irtysh (Pavlodar) – Kaisar (Kyzylorda)** 1:2 (1:1). Goals: Poe 15 (1:0), Tsutskich 44 (1:1), Bukorac 65 (1:2)
  • 02**Ulytau (Zhezkazgan) – Ordabasy (Shymkent)** 0:1 (0:1). Goal: Johnsen 41
  • 03**Tobol (Kostanay) – Altai (Ust-Kamenogorsk)** 3:1 (1:1). Goals: Tagybergen 14 (1:0), Djambor 18 (1:1), Guerra 73 (2:1), Talal 80 (3:1). Red card: Dadaev (A, 90+1)
  • 04**Zhenis (Astana) – Astana** 2:2 (0:1). Goals: Tomasov 30 (0:1), Martins 68 (1:1), Hasein 79 (2:1), Kaltanov 90+4 (2:2). Red card: Beisebekov (A, 38)
  • 05**Okzhetpes (Kokshetau) – Kairat (Almaty)** 1:3 (0:0). Goals: Yukkola 15 (0:1), Abdumannonov 23 (1:1), Afriko 57 (1:2), Edmilson 90+5 (1:3)
  • 06**Zhetysu (Taldykorgan) – Aktobe** 1:0 (0:0). Goal: Baltabekov 45
  • 07**Yelimay (Semey) – Kyzylzhar (Petropavlovsk)** 2:0 (0:0). Goals: Orazov 61 (1:0), Plakka 80 (2:0)
  • 08**Caspy (Aktau) – Atyrau** 2:0 (2:0). Goals: Sedko 8 (1:0), Serikbay 16 (2:0)

Winning with a minimal score, Ordabasy won the first round of the championship. With 11 wins and 4 draws, Andrey Martin's team surpassed the current champion Kairat in the table. The Almaty team played two more matches. Rafael Urazbakhtin's team won in Kokshetau the day before.

The first round ended with the capital derby. As in recent years, it was fierce and uncompromising. Croatian Marin Tomasov opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Soon, for a rough foul on Bosnian Ivan Sharavanya, Astana captain Abzal Beisebekov left the field. In the second half, Zhenis, playing with a man advantage, took the lead through Brazilian Jean dos Santos Martins and Madi Hasein. However, in stoppage time, 20-year-old Akhmetali Kaltanov, who came on as a substitute, brought the vice-champions a hard-fought draw – 2:2.

The second round of the football championship in the elite division starts on Thursday, July 2. On that day, Kairat will host Okzhetpes. On July 3, Astana will play Zhenis again. On July 4, matches Altai – Tobol and Kyzylzhar – Yelimay are scheduled. The 16th round will end on Sunday, July 5, with games Atyrau – Caspy, Aktobe – Zhetysu, Kaisar – Irtysh, and Ordabasy – Ulytau.