Shymkent's Ordabasy defeated Tobol 2:0 at home and, overtaking Kairat, again took the lead in the championship race in the elite football division. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Almaty residents, who beat Ordabasy last week, won their 20th round match against Kaisar back on May 6. Having taken three points from Tobol, Ordabasy equaled the champion in the number of matches played. And overtook the Kairat players by one point.
In the 19th minute, Elkhan Astanov opened the scoring with a shot from a sharp angle, beating Sultan Busurmanov. The author of the first goal could have recorded an assist before the break, but Norwegian Bjorn Johnsen, receiving a pass from Astanov in a favorable position, missed.
Tobol, which had advanced to the third round of European competitions in the past week, predictably played second fiddle in Shymkent, but periodically counterattacked. In the 55th minute, Venezuelan Luis Guerra scored a response goal in a quick counterattack. However, he played with his hand, which caused the goal to be disallowed.
In the 77th minute, referee Danil Gorda sent off Kostanay's Nauryzbek Zhagorov, after which the hosts scored again through Nikola Antic and Sergei Maly – 2:0. In the end, Johnsen hit the posts and crossbars, but failed to score in his seventh consecutive match.
Contenders for bronze celebrated another victories today. Astana's leader and captain Marin Tomasov scored a brace in Zhezkazgan.
Oralkhan Omirtayev, who came on as a substitute, scored a brace in the home game against outsider Altai. Two more goals were scored by Vladislav Vasilyev and Vladimir Vomenko. Denis Mitrofanov scored a consolation goal against Okzhetpes. Interestingly, Vomenko and Mitrofanov started the match on the bench, and Denis appeared on the field only two minutes before his goal.
⚽ ORDABASY (Shymkent) – TOBOL (Kostanay) 2:0 (1:0). Goals: E. Astanov 19 (1:0), Maly 87 (2:0). Sent off: Zhagorov (T, 77)
⚽ ULYTAU (Zhezkazgan) – ASTANA 0:2 (0:0). Goals: Tomasov 11 (0:1), Tomasov 90+1 (0:2)
⚽ OKZHETPES (Kokshetau) – ALTAI (Ust-Kamenogorsk) 4:1 (0:0). Goals: Vasilyev 47 (1:0), Omirtayev 59 (2:0), Vomenko 76 (3:0), Mitrofanov 80 (3:1), Omirtayev 85 (4:1)
⚽ ZHENIS (Astana) – ELIMAI (Semey) 0:0. Sent off: Ashirbek (E, 76)
⚽ IRTYSH (Pavlodar) – CASPIY (Aktau) 3:2 (0:1). Goals: Ndombazi 12 (0:1), Poe 54 (1:1), Shimamura 59 (2:1), Sedko 65 pen (2:2), Poe 90+14 pen (3:2). Sent off: Amaral (C, 90+12)
⚽ KYZYLZHAR (Petropavlovsk) – AKTOBE 3:1 (1:1). Goals: Baoken 2 (1:0), Atanasov 38 (1:1), Begre 80 pen (2:1), Latifi 88 (3:1). Sent off: Yerlanov 61, Miange 85 (both – A)
⚽ ATYRAU – ZHETYSU (Taldykorgan) 1:1 (1:0). Goals: Kalmuratov 24 pen (1:0), Abzalov 50 (1:1)
⚽ KAISAR (Kyzylorda) – KAIRAT (Almaty) 1:2 (0:1). Goals: Satpayev 2 (0:1), Abiken 71 (1:1), Martynovich 88 (1:2). Missed penalty: Satpayev (Kair, 78) hit the post. Sent off: Oksanen (Kair, 79)
The day before, three matches took place. In the derby of new coaches, Belarusian Vitaly Zhukovsky (Kyzylzhar) defeated Igor Cherevchenko (Aktobe) – 3:1. The last goal was conceded by Aktobe players while playing with nine men after two red cards. Its author was the hosts' Albanian newcomer Liridon Latifi.
At the initiative of referee Denis Tevyashov, Irtysh and Caspiy played one full extra time in Pavlodar. The winning goal was scored by Ivorian Pavlodar player Jean-Morel Poe in the 114th minute of the match, converting a penalty.
In the match of semi-outsiders, Atyrau and Zhetysu took one point each. And they continue to be in the danger zone.
Matches of the 21st round will take place on August 8 and 9. On Saturday, Altai – Kyzylzhar, Zhetysu – Ordabasy, Kairat – Zhenis and Caspiy – Ulytau will play. Sunday is scheduled for Tobol – Kaisar, Astana – Okzhetpes, Atyrau – Aktobe and Elimai – Irtysh.