Ulytau defeated Kairat Almaty 3-1 in the Premier League Regular Season match on 15 August 2026. The home side took control early and held firm despite two late penalty goals from the visitors. It was a result that kept Ulytau in eighth place while Kairat remained second in the table.
Edmilson struck twice in quick succession to set the tone. He opened the scoring in the 31st minute and doubled the lead just a minute later in the 32nd. By then, Kairat had already seen D. Carmona Sierra booked in the 44th minute for a foul that hinted at the frustration to come.
O. Jukkola pulled one back for Kairat in the 53rd minute, giving the visitors a glimmer of hope. But Ulytau responded through A. Tuyakbaev in the 74th minute, restoring a two-goal cushion. Edmilson was substituted in the 70th minute, replaced by someone who would not need to add to his tally.
Chernyak converted two penalties in the dying moments — one in the 90th and another in the 90th plus seven — to salvage pride for Kairat. The home side had already made their changes, bringing on J. Oksanen and A. Mrynskiy in the 80th minute, then A. Shirobokov and R. Serikkul in the 84th and 87th respectively. Kairat threw on A. Bougnone and K. Kishi at the same time, desperate for something to happen.
Ulytau sit eighth with 24 games played, eight wins, seven draws, nine losses, and 31 points. Kairat occupy second after 23 matches, 16 victories, six draws, one defeat, and 54 points. The visitors have been inconsistent lately, losing to Levski Sofia twice and Omonia Nicosia once in their last five outings.
The win does little to move Ulytau up the table, but it ends a run of results that had them hovering near the bottom half. Kairat remain in the hunt for the title, though their recent form suggests they will not have it all their own way. The gap between them and the leaders is still significant, and this result does not close it.