Almaty's Kairat-Zhastar crushed Kaspyi M's reserves 6-0 on July 17 in the 14th round of Kazakhstan's First Division, returning to the top of the table, reports the website infohub.kz.
Before the round, Kairat-Zhastar led by one point over Shakhter Karaganda. However, on July 16, Shakhter beat local side Batyr in Ekibastuz 2-0 to go two points clear. Kairat-Zhastar had a home game against the youth team of Aktau's Kaspyi, who sat in 11th place, making the task of reclaiming the lead manageable.
In the 15th minute, guest defender Zhaner Zhazmagambetov sliced the ball into his own net from a powerful cross. Soon after, a penalty was awarded and converted by Karim Makhametzhan – 2-0. Five minutes after play resumed, Evgeny Petrik finished a cross from the flank to make it 3-0, and in the 72nd minute he scored his second with a shot from 15 meters. In the 76th minute, Abylai Toleuukhan scored on a counterattack. Then Kaspyi were reduced to ten men after Sultan Tazhikenov was sent off for a rough foul. In stoppage time, Abilkhaier Zharmukhamet handled the ball in the area, also receiving a red card, and Akezhan Kalikulov converted the penalty to make it 6-0.
Kairat-Zhastar have 38 points and are back in first place, one point ahead of Shakhter. In the next round on July 24, Kairat-Zhastar travel to face Aktobe's reserves, while Shakhter host Arys at home. Third place belongs to Turan of Turkestan with 28 points. Astana's youth team, who beat Zhaik Ural 1-0, are five points behind in fourth. Fifth place with 28 points is held by Shymkent's Akademiya Onustyk, who snatched a 3-2 win over Tobyl M.