Kazakhstan round-up: Irtysh gather pace

Leaders FC Irtysh Pavlodar have kicked off the second stage of the Kazakh Super League with a 2-1 victory over FK Aktobe Lento.

Six-point advantage
Irtysh now have a six-point advantage over their main rivals FK Atyrau, after coming from behind to secure victory in the first game of the second stage of the Super League, in which six teams are competing for the top spots.

Urazov winner
Andrei Barsukov scored on 57 minutes to give Aktobe Lento a surprise lead, but Sergei Kalabukhin converted a penalty and Turkmenistan international striker Didarklych Urazov scored the winner to wrap up another victory for the leaders.

Late penalty
Meanwhile, Atyrau dropped two points in Karagandy, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Shakhtyor Karaganda. Oleg Kirimov was on tagret early for Atyrau, but a late penalty, converted by Eugeni Lunev, secured a share of the spoils.

Tlehugov salvages draw
Elsewhere, FC Tobol Kostanay drew 1-1 with FC Zhenis Astana, Arsen Tlehugov scoring on the stroke of full time to salvage a draw for Zhenis by erasing an earlier strike by Nurken Mazbayev.

Victories for Yesil and Kaisar
In the lower group, which is playing for the places from seventh to 12th, FC Yelimai Semey lost 1-0 against FC Yesil Kokshetau, FC Kaisar Kyzylorda beat FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk 2-1, while FC Vostok Altyn Oskemen beat FC Kairat Almaty 1-0.