Irtysh Pavlodar claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over Okzhetpes in the Kazakhstan Premier League on 13 September 2026, with a late goal at the Central Stadium in Pavlodar sealing all three points. The match, which kicked off at 19:10 local time, was a tense, physical encounter that swung back and forth before the hosts found a decisive moment in the closing stages.

Match Overview

Irtysh Pavlodar came into the game looking to strengthen their position in the upper half of the table, while Okzhetpes were desperate to climb away from the relegation zone. The visitors started brightly, pressing high and forcing Irtysh into a few early errors, but the home side gradually settled and began to dominate possession. The first half ended 1-0 to Irtysh after a well-worked move down the right flank.

Key Moments

• 23rd minute: Irtysh took the lead when Aslan Darabayev latched onto a through ball and slotted past the Okzhetpes goalkeeper.
• 61st minute: Okzhetpes equalised against the run of play. Dmitri Ryzhov converted a penalty after a handball in the box.
• 84th minute: Irtysh found the winner when Roman Murtazayev headed home a corner from close range.
• 90+3 minute: Okzhetpes had a late chance to equalise, but Irtysh's goalkeeper made a superb save to preserve the win.

Tactical Story

Irtysh set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, looking to control the midfield through quick passing and overlapping full-backs. Okzhetpes responded with a compact 5-3-2, aiming to absorb pressure and hit on the counter-attack. The visitors' equaliser came from a rare foray forward, but Irtysh's persistence paid off as they continued to whip crosses into the box. The introduction of fresh legs on the wings in the second half gave Irtysh the extra spark they needed.

Standout Players

Aslan Darabayev was a constant threat, scoring the opener and linking play intelligently. Roman Murtazayev's late header proved decisive, while Irtysh's goalkeeper made two crucial saves. For Okzhetpes, Dmitri Ryzhov was their most dangerous outlet and confidently dispatched his penalty.

Season Impact

The win lifts Irtysh Pavlodar into the top six of the Kazakhstan Premier League standings, keeping their hopes of a European qualification spot alive. Okzhetpes remain in the lower half and will need to improve their away form quickly. The head-to-head record now favours Irtysh, who have won two of the last three meetings between the sides.