Kazakhstan round-up: Irtysh take crown
Thursday, October 10, 2002
Article summary
FC Irtysh Pavlodar have secured their fourth league title and a place in the UEFA Champions League.
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Capacity crowd
A capacity crowd in Pavlodar saw Irtysh clinch the first title success for their coach Dmitri Ogay and with it UEFA Champions League qualification for next season. Sergey Kalabukhin opened the scoring and Farkhadybek Irismetov added a further two goals to earn Irtysh a historic victory and their fourth title in Kazakh history, following previous triumphs in 1993, 1997 and 1999.
Atyrau rocked
FK Atyrau look almost certain to earn a UEFA Cup place and the runners-up spot after beating third-placed FC Zhenis Astana 2-0. Igor Yurin and Vitali Kitsak from the penalty spot scored the crucial goals for Atyrau, who were rocked after the game by the news that their coach Voit Talgayev will be leaving at the end of the season, to take charge of FC Terek Grozny in Russia.
Yesil virtually down
Elsewhere in the top six group, FC Shakhtyor Karaganda lost at home to FC Aktobe Lento. In the relegation group, FC Kaisar Kyzylorda beat FC Yesil Kokshetau 3-0, FC Yelimai Semey defeated FC Vostok Altyn Oskemen 1-0, and FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk lost 1-0 against FC Kairat Almaty, a result that virtually ensures Yesil's relegation.
