Kazakhstan round-up: Atyrau fall to shock defeat

The second round of the Kazakh Super League season saw a smattering of surprise results.

Runners-up fall
Last season's runners-up FK Atyrau lost 1-0 at home to FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk courtesy of Viacheslav Koloda's 25th-minute goal while FC Tobol Kostanay, who finished third last season, were held 0-0 at league debutants FC Taraz.

Zhenis win again
FC Zhenis Astana secured their second win of the season with a 3-2 win at FC Zhetysu Taldukorgan. Nilton Mendes, the only Brazilian in the Super League, was among the scorers with his 53rd career goal in the championship. FC Ekibastuzets Ekibastyz also maintained their 100 per cent record under new coach Vladimir Fomichev with a 1-0 win at FC Kaisar Kyzylorda. Rinat Ishmakov scored the winning goal with just six minutes left.

Ordabasy fall
FC Ordabasy Shymkent, who signed 16 new players from Uzbekistan and Ukraine before the start of the season, lost at home for a second time this season as FC Irtysh Pavlodar maintained their unbeaten record with a 1-0 win courtesy of Kairat Nurdauletov's 68th-minute goal.

Away win
FK Aktobe Lento were another side to chalk up an impressive away win as they triumphed 2-1 at FC Batys Uralsk. Vitali Kitsak gave Aktobe-Lento the lead just before half-time. Artur Avakyants equalised for Batys nine minutes after the break before Rafazl Urazbakhin snatched a winner.

Tarasov on target
Oleg Tarasov registered his second and third goals of the season as FC Kairat Almaty saw off FC Vostok Oskemen 2-1. Renat Abdullin scored Vostok's consolation.

Sub-zero conditions
Finally, FC Shakhtyor Karaganda and FC Yelimai Semey drew 1–1 in sub-zero conditions. Oleg Kornienko gave Shakhtyor the lead after 55 minutes but all-time Super League goalscorer Oleg Litvinenko rescued a point for Yelimai in the final seconds.