Match Report
On paper the standings were lopsided — Irtysh 2nd with 61 points, Zhetisay 5th with 42, 19 apart. Recent form told a different story for Zhetisay: only 10th in the league over the last five rounds despite sitting 5th. In league terms the two rates read 2.73/0.77 for Irtysh and 1.69/1.35 for Zhetisay (scored/conceded per game); the competition average is 1.75.
Irtysh had won four straight, having scored in 8 consecutive games. Zhetisay came in having won three on the spin.
Pavlodar Central Stadium staged the fixture, a ground that holds 15,000. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Irtysh led 2-1 at the break, before 1 more goal closed it at 3-1.