Kazakhstan round-up: Champions' run halted
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Article summary
FC Zhenis Astana lost their 100 per cent record as they were beaten at home by FC Ordabasy Shymkent.
Article body
Reigning Kazakhstan champions FC Zhenis Astana lost their 100 per cent record for the 2003 season as they were beaten at home by FC Ordabasy Shymkent.
Late goal
The newly-promoted visitors scored the all-important goal through Andrei Vaganov six minutes from time, but Zhenis remain top on goal difference as FC Ekibastuzets Ekibastyz were held 1-1 by FC Kairat Almaty. Ekibastuzets seemed set for victory after former Kairat player Evgeni Kravchuk's first-half goal, but Alibek Buleshev levelled two minutes from the end.
Zhetysu miss chance
FC Zhetysu Taldukorgan also missed the chance to go top as they lost 2-1 at FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk. Dmitri Yurist and Vyacheslav Koloda scored before the break to ensure Juri Zvonarenko's last-minute strike was only a consolation. FC Shakhtyor Karaganda also lost ground with a 2-1 reverse at FC Irtysh Pavlodar, the winner coming from the oldest player in the league, Sergei Timofeev, aged 38.
Batys off mark
Elsewhere, FC Batys Uralsk secured their first points with a 1-0 home win against last season’s runners-up FK Atyrau, while FC Yesil Kokshetau are also off the mark after beating FC Taraz by the same score. FC Tobol Kostanay are usefully placed after Konstantin Kotov scored 12 minutes from time to give Kazakhstan's 2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup representatives a 2-1 victory against FC Kaisar Kyzylorda.
