Akzhaiyk 0 - 2 Blinkmaster (393412416)

Overcast weather free of rain made for a crowd turnout of 70000 at Isatay Taimanuly today. Edi Anghel was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Shannon Rowley and Bruce Chareyron. Akzhaiyk had chosen a strategic 4-3-3 formation. The following players took the field: Kazybaev - Dulatov, Timashev, Kairatov, Sarybaev - Zhabaspaev, Trabace, Temirgaliev - Kunanbayev, Melnichuk, Kayruk.

Blinkmaster started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. They fielded: Maaravi - Uzeel, Pohjankoski, Stacewicz - Badrak, Chekodanov, Neckebroeck, Stecher, Cardona - Sogot Uulu, Polloni.

Akzhaiyk clearly had decided to counter-attack when they could. 5 minutes into the game, B. Badrak almost gave the visitors the lead, as he clipped a delicate lob over the keeper, but the ball glanced harmlessly off the crossbar. Akzhaiyk got a penalty shot 22 minutes into the game, but C. Trabace scuffed the shot slightly and D. Maaravi was able to block. N. Cardona had a good try after 27 minutes, coming in on a fine move from the left, but the ball went wide. Coming in from the right, Akzhaiyk had a good opportunity to convert on a counterattack after 28 minutes, but E. Kairatov's attempt to finish was easily stopped. 0 - 0 was the halftime score. Blinkmaster enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 53 percent of possession.

As the clock reached 46 minutes, Blinkmaster decided to regroup. N. Cardona gave B. Badrak a little pat on the back as they changed positions on the pitch. With 64 minutes played, the visitors broke through on the right after some poor defending. O. Polloni put the ball away for 0 - 1. After the ball was lifted in from the left, B. Chekodanov was on his own in the home side's penalty area and should have scored after 68 minutes, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. N. Cardona received a delicate pass through the home side's central defence after 71 minutes, and chipped it past the flailing keeper to score making it 0 - 2. The Blinkmaster fans went wild, whilst the home fans started to think about leaving early. The Akzhaiyk players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the Akzhaiyk manager used a brief break in play after 75 minutes to give the players new directives. As the game started to slip away for Akzhaiyk, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. The Akzhaiyk coach was desperate to reverse his team's fortunes in the game, and ordered his team to change strategy. The coach of Blinkmaster was happy with the game so far, but still wanted to change the line up. After 84 minutes, P. Dutra came on for D. Maaravi. With 88 minutes played, the Akzhaiyk coach decided a substitution may help turn the game around. Y. Kozhakhmetov came on, M. Zhabaspaev had to leave the fray. R. Timashev was the new captain of Akzhaiyk - handed the armband by the departing player. Possession in this half belonged to Blinkmaster, who controlled the ball 54 percent of the time.

Most important Akzhaiyk player was A. Kayruk. K. Kazybaev turned in a dismal performance, however. Blinkmaster's top performer was clearly O. Polloni. On the other hand, P. Dutra's play was disheartening. The match ends 0 - 2.