Shymkent's Ordabasy and Astana's Zhenis played out a 1-1 draw in matchday 29 of the Kazakhstan Premier League (KPL) at the Central Stadium named after Kazhymukan Munaitpasov, infohub.kz reports.
The deadlock was broken by an own goal from the hosts' Cameroonian defender Guy-Marcelin Kilama in the 46th minute. Kazakhstan international midfielder Elkhan Astanov then levelled the score in the 70th minute, scoring while his side were a man down: four minutes earlier, fellow national team midfielder Zhasulan Amir had been sent off.
A scuffle broke out on the pitch after the final whistle, as a result of which Kazakhstan and Ordabasy defender Sergei Maly was shown a red card.
As a result, the Shymkent side missed the chance to clinch the championship title at their home stadium. They now have 68 points, while Kairat have 63 with two games in hand. If the Almaty club fail to beat Aktobe away on Sunday, Ordabasy will be crowned champions of Kazakhstan.
In the final matchday, the Shymkent side will travel to face Pavlodar's Irtysh, while Kairat will host Ust-Kamenogorsk's Altai.
Following the draw, Zhenis have 33 points and sit ninth in the KPL table.