Kazakhstan round-up: Tobol keep dream alive

FC Tobol Kostanay kept their dreams of finishing third in the Kazakh Super League alive by beating second-placed FC Atyrau 1-0 at the weekend.

Gerasimov on target
The result means that runaway leaders FC Irtysh Pavlodar can feel even more at ease in their pursuit of the title. Alexei Gerasimov headed in a corner on 68 minutes to aid Tobol to a victory over a dominant Atyrau, who allowed their hosts few counterattacks. However, Atyrau could not take their numerous chances and paid the price, slipping to ten points behind Irtysh.

Zhenis slip up
Tobol have now closed the gap on FC Zhenis Astana, who are currently third, and the Kostanay club are now only five points behind their rivals. Zhenis themselves helped Tobol's cause, by losing 1-0 at FC Aktobe Lento. Dmitri Yurist, fed by strike partner Vladimir Loginov, scored after 29 minutes to decide the game in favour of the hosts.

Unassailable lead
Meanwhile, Irtysh still have an almost unassailable lead on top of the table despite a scoreless draw with FC Shakhtior Karagandy. Fakhadybek Irismetov could have collected three points for Irtysh, but Shaktior's goalkeeper Airat Karimov denied him from the penalty spot.

Yesil in trouble
Meanwhile, in the group of six teams looking to avoid relegation, FC Yesil Kokshetau's chances of survival look slim after a goalless draw against FC Kairat Almaty. The result leaves Yesil five points adrift of second-bottom FC Kaisar Kyzylorda at the foot of the table. In the weekend's other fixtures, FC Vostok Altyn Oskemen beat FC Yesil-Bogatyrj Petropavlovsk 1-0, and FC Kaisar Kyzylorda overcame FC Yelimay Semey 3-2.