Kazakhstan round-up: Zhenis dreams take a knock

FC Irtysh Pavlodar continued their winning streak in the latest round of games in Kazakhstan, defeating FC Shakhtyor Karaganda 3-0 while, FC Zhenis Astana's hopes of a UEFA Cup place were dealt a blow by a scoreless draw against FK Aktobe Lento.

Annenkov opener
Zhenis were held by in-form Aktobe-Lento at home, and will most likely now have to settle to for a UEFA Intertoto Cup spot. Meanwhile in Pavlodar, Irtysh left nothing to chance against fourth-placed Shakhtior. Former FC Dynamo Kyiv striker Andriy Annenkov opened the scoring on 22 minutes after beating an unsuccessful offiside trap.

Atyrau win
Sergey Proskurin's header and Serik Zheilitbayev's effort from a rebound completed the scoring for Irtysh, who are now nine points clear of second-placed FK Atyrau who kept their title hopes mathematically alive with a 2-0 win against FC Tobol Kostanay. Ukrainian defender Vitaly Kutsak and Turkmenistan international Redzhepmurad Agabayev scored the crucial goals.

Lower six results
In the lower six group, FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk beat FC Vostok Altyn Oskemen 1-0, FC Yelimai Semey fell to a 2-0 defeat at home against FC Kaisar Kyzylorda, while FC Kairat Almaty overcame FC Yesil Kokshetau.