Kazakhstan round-up: Atyrau up and running

FK Atyrau made a bright start to the new Kazakh Super League season, securing maximum points with a 2-0 home win against FC Yesil Kokshetau.

Agabayev at the double
Rejepmurat Agabayev was the hero of the hour for last season's runners-up and scored both goals to complete a comfortable victory against a Yesil side that finished ninth in the standings last term. The Turkmen international forward, who scored eight goals during the 2002 campaign, opened his account on 17 minutes before adding a second 13 minutes into the second half.

Irtysh held
Champions FC Irtysh Pavlodar made less of an impact on the opening day and were held to a goalless draw by FC Kaisar Kyzylorda in Kyzylorda. Kaisar, celebrating their 35th year in existence, had promised their fans that they would attempt to celebrate the anniversary in style and did just that, holding Irtysh in front of 5,000 supporters at the Muratbaev stadium.

Zhetysu joy
Newly promoted FC Zhetysu Taldukorgan made a sensational return to the top flight, securing a hard-fought 2-1 home win over FC Tobol Kostanay. Goals in either half from Guram Makayev and Yuri Zvonarenko gave the hosts a commanding lead, before Russian Sergey Bogdanov gave Tobol, third-placed finishers last season, hope of a comeback.

Zhenis impress
Kazakh Cup holders FC Zhenis Astana began their campaign with an impressive 2-0 away win against newcomers FC Taraz. Russia-born playmaker Yuri Aksenov was the catalyst behind Zhenis' success and created second-half goals for Igor Avdeyev (46) and Aleksander Shatskikh (52). Meanwhile, in a match between two newly promoted sides, first division champions FC Ekibastuzets Ekibastyz had an Evgeniy Kravchuk goal to thank for their 1-0 win at FC Ordabasy Shymkent.

Aliyev off the mark
Elsewhere, FC Kairat Almaty treated a home crowd of 3,500 to a fine attacking display and emerged 2-0 victors over FC Yelimai Semey. Midfield player Ali Aliyev scored the fastest - an arguably best - goal of the day when his curling second-minute free-kick gave the visiting goalkeeper no chance. Oleg Tarasov added a second for Kairat on the quarter-hour to complete the scoring.

Huge crowd
In the weekend's other match, a crowd of over 11,000 turned out to watch hosts FC Shakhtyor Karaganda beat  FC Vostok Oskemen 1-0 at the Shakhtyor stadium. The home side were only granted permission to feature in the season's competition at the eleventh hour following the failure of many of their players to pass a professional suitability test, but made the most of their opportunity as Andrey Finonchenko's 62nd-minuite strike sealed the points against their financially troubled opponents.