Kazakhstan round-up: Zhenis hold their own

Important victory
After an open first half, the hosts took control of the game in the second period, and Sergei Kozulin's goal on 82 minutes brought an important victory for the capital city club. At the halfway point in the season, they remain three points clear of second-placed FC Irtysh Pavlodar.

Defending champions
Defending champions Irtysh received an early shock from FC Zhetysu, as Eugeni Glukhov scored on 12 minutes to give the visitors the lead. It took Irtysh all of the first half to find their feet, but Rustam Usmanov found the target twice in the second half to secure a 2-1 win.

High score
Elsewhere, FC Yesil Bogatyr Petropavlovsk and FK Aktobe Lento played out the highest-scoring game of the current season, as the Petropavlovsk side prevailed 5-2. Alexei Danaev and Sergei Yurevich scored twice each, while Vyacheslav Koloda added another goal for the hosts. Andrei Barsukov and Nurmat Mirzabaev contributed for Aktobe.

Unbeaten run
FC Yelimai Semey recorded a victory over FC Ordabasy Shikment to prolong their unbeaten run to nine games and move up to third place in the table. Oleg Litvinenko's well-placed shot proved to be the only goal of the game although Yelimai's task was made easier when Ordabasy player Spartak Murtazayev was sent off for two bookable offences.

Other games
In the round's other games, FC Ekibastuzets beat FC Taraz 2-0, while FC Yesil drew 1-1 against FC Batys. FC Vostok Altyn Oskemen held FC Kaisar Kyzylorda to a goalless draw.