Karaganda's Shakhter, who have already secured promotion to the Kazakhstan Premier League 2027, continued their victorious march through the First League. In the 22nd round, Andrei Finonchenko's side defeated local Zhaik in Uralsk to claim their 20th win of the campaign, infohub.kz reports.
The league's top scorer, Artyom Litosh, who has 21 goals to his name, was limited to an assist this time. In the 25th minute, the striker set up Rifat Nurmugamet to open the scoring. Zhaik soon equalized through Bauyrzhan Omarov. However, after the break, Karaganda's Dias Kalybaev scored the winning goal for the visitors – 2:1.
The day before, Kairat-Zhastar dropped more points. The young Almaty side, lacking tournament motivation, nearly lost at home to their counterparts from the capital. After 90 minutes, Astana-M led 2:1. Abylai Zhylkaidar equalized in stoppage time.
FIRST LEAGUE 2026. Round 22. September 11:
⚽ BATYR (Ekibastuz) – TOBOL-M (Kostanay) 1:5 (0:1). Goals: Musaev 30 (0:1), Musaev 53 (0:2), Aitpakaev 65 (1:2), Zinadin 80 (1:3), Bakitjanov 83 (4:1), Kabylgazin 88 (5:1). Sent off: Orazbek (B, 71)
⚽ KASPIY-M (Aktau) – ARYS 1:2 (1:1). Goals: Zhazmaganbetov 41 penalty (1:0), Zhanbyrbai 43 (1:1), Kystaubai 89 (1:2)
⚽ ZHAIK (Uralsk) – SHAKHTER (Karaganda) 1:2 (1:1). Goals: Nurmugamet 25 (0:1), Omarov 27 (1:1), Kalybaev 56 (1:2). Sent off: Murat (Zh, 87)
⚽ TARAZ – KHAN-TENGRI (Almaty) 3:3 (1:2). Goals: Emirov 9 (0:1), Kemelbek 25 (1:1), Sarsenbek 44 (1:2), Lesbek 60 (2:2), Moldakarayev 86 (3:2), Turgunbaev 90+3 (3:3)
September 10:
⚽ ELIMAI-M (Semey) – ACADEMY ONTUSTIK (Shymkent) 0:1 (0:0). Goal: Abdukakhkharov 62
⚽ KAIRAT-ZHASTAR (Almaty) – ASTANA-M 2:2 (0:0). Goals: Malaev 53 (1:0), Kaltanov 69 penalty (1:1), Tolendy 79 (1:2), Zhylkaidar 90+3 (2:2)
⚽ AKTOBE-M – TURAN (Turkestan) 1:3 (1:3). Goals: Oralbai 6 (0:1), Saidov 27 (0:2), Muratov 33 (1:2), Sabyrov 38 own goal (1:3)
Turan also claimed another victory, having secured promotion alongside Shakhter. The Turkestan side settled the match in Aktobe within the first half – 3:1.
Taraz continue to struggle, despite being considered one of the tournament favorites before the season. In a dramatic encounter with Khan-Tengri, the Zhambyl side twice fell behind, then pulled ahead, but conceded late to drop the win – 3:3.
Outsiders Tobol-M unexpectedly produced five goals in Ekibastuz – 5:1. Emin Musaev scored a brace against Batyr.
Round 23 of the First League will take place on September 17–19.