FC Kairat, headed by the Turkmen coach Kurban Berdyev, became the winner of the 2021 Kazakhstan Cup.
The main time of the match between FC Kairat and FC Shakhter Karagandy, which took place today at the Astana Arena in Nur-Sultan, ended in a 2:2 draw. As part of FC Kairat Brazilian striker Wagner Love scored a double (6th, 40th minutes). Mikhail Gabyshev (48) and Martin Toshev (83) from FC Shakhter distinguished themselves.
In extra time, the teams exchanged goals one more time. Forward Aydos Tattybayevconverted the penalty, taking FC Shakhter forward. Soon, Artur Shushenachev equalized the score — 3:3, bringing the match to a penalty shootout. In the series of post-match penalties, FC Kairat turned out to be stronger — 9:8.
FC Kairat won this trophy for the tenth time in history, which is a record.
The winner of the final match next season will take part in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
On the way to the final, FC Kairat twice beat FC Kaisar in the ¼ final (3:0, 2:0), after which they defeated FC Astana twice (3: 0, 3: 0). FC Shakhter were defeated by FC Taraz in the quarterfinals (0:0, 3:1), and in the semifinals they won over FC Tobol (5:2, 2:0).
Kurban Berdyev is a graduate of the Turkmen football, who played for many years as a player in the Ashgabat FC Kolhozchi, then as a coach who led teams in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Russia.
69-year-old Kurban Berdyev took over the leadership of FC Kairat in August 2021. For Berdyev, this is the first trophy at the helm of FC Kairat. In his coaching career, the famous mentor has already become the owner of the Turkmenistan Cup and the Russian Cup.