FK Yelimay Semey 2-1 FC Zhetysu Taldykorgan — Kazakhstan Premier League — September 12, 2026

FK Yelimay Semey edged FC Zhetysu Taldykorgan 2-1 in the Kazakhstan Premier League on Saturday evening, turning a tight contest into a valuable home victory with a late goal in Semey. The result gave Yelimay three important points and left Zhetysu to reflect on a performance that had spells of control but lacked the final touch when it mattered most.

Match overview

Yelimay began the match with intent, pushing their full-backs high and looking to create overloads on the flanks. Zhetysu sat in a compact 4-4-2 shape, looking to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. The home side had more of the ball in the opening half-hour, but Zhetysu remained dangerous whenever they won possession in midfield and released their forwards into space.

The game’s rhythm shifted several times. Yelimay’s early pressure produced the opening goal, but Zhetysu responded well after the break and found an equaliser that briefly silenced the home crowd. In the end, Yelimay’s bench made the difference, with a substitute scoring the winner in the closing stages.

Key moments

• 18' — Yelimay take the lead: Alikhan Bekturganov arrived late in the box and guided a low finish past the Zhetysu goalkeeper after a patient build-up down the right.
• 34' — Zhetysu threaten: Ruslan Tursynbay forced a smart save at the near post as Zhetysu began to find pockets of space between Yelimay’s midfield and defence.
• 57' — Zhetysu equalise: Tursynbay latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted home to make it 1-1, rewarding Zhetysu’s improved second-half pressure.
• 82' — Yelimay winner: Substitute Dias Ospanov met a cut-back from the left and swept the ball into the net, sending the home support into celebration.
• 90+4' — Late Zhetysu chance: A deep free-kick caused panic in the Yelimay box, but the home defence cleared at the second attempt.

Tactical story

Yelimay’s 4-2-3-1 gave them control in central areas, especially when their number ten dropped between the lines. Zhetysu’s response was to defend narrow and force play wide, then counter quickly through Tursynbay. That plan worked for long stretches of the second half, but Yelimay’s ability to bring fresh legs off the bench ultimately tipped the balance.

The winning goal came from exactly the kind of wide combination Yelimay had been building toward all evening. Their left-sided rotations pulled Zhetysu’s back line apart, and Ospanov’s timing in the box was excellent.

Standout players

Bekturganov was central to Yelimay’s best moves and capped his display with the opening goal. Ospanov needed only a handful of touches to make the decisive impact. For Zhetysu, Tursynbay was the clear attacking threat, while their goalkeeper kept the score level with two important saves before the late breakthrough.

Table impact

The win strengthens Yelimay’s position in the Kazakhstan Premier League standings and gives them momentum ahead of their next fixture. Zhetysu leave with no points but with evidence that their counter-attacking approach can trouble teams; converting more of their chances will be the priority in the matches to come.