Kairat secured a 2-1 victory over Montenegrin champions Sutjeska in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round, taking slender advantage into next week’s return leg.
Rafael Urazbakhtin named a strong starting XI as Kairat looked to continue their impressive domestic form, with Marc Gual leading the attack after scoring twice against Okzhetpes at the weekend.
The Kazakh champions dominated possession from the opening whistle. They pinned Sutjeska deep inside their own half. However, clear-cut opportunities were initially hard to come by.
Sutjeska created the first real chance in the 12th minute when Marko Mrvaljević found space on the edge of the penalty area, but his effort flew comfortably over the crossbar.
airat thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half after Gual’s shot was saved and Jorginho headed home the rebound. However, the Portuguese forward was ruled offside.
The hosts continued to press before the interval but were unable to find a breakthrough, with Sutjeska frustrating Kairat through disciplined defending.
Urazbakhtin responded by introducing Aleksandr Shirobokov, Edmilson and Azamat Tuyakbaev at half-time, and Kairat immediately increased the pressure.
Jorginho came close five minutes after the restart, heading narrowly wide from Tuyakbaev’s corner, while the substitute also tested the visitors’ defence with a long-range effort.
Eventually, the breakthrough arrived in the 76th minute. Valeri Oksanen’s corner was flicked across goal by Bekbolat, allowing Lucas Áfrico to convert from close range and give Kairat a deserved lead.
Bekbolat almost doubled the advantage moments later, but his effort from outside the box drifted just wide.
Despite creating few chances, Sutjeska equalised in the closing stages. Deni Hočko’s cross found Marko Mrvaljević, who fired first time beyond Temirlan Anarbekov.
Just two minutes later, Bekbolat surged down the right wing before delivering a low cross for Gual to turn home from close range, restoring the hosts’ advantage and securing a first-leg victory.
Kairat will travel to Montenegro for next week’s UEFA Champions League second leg against Sutjeska, needing only a draw to reach the second qualifying round.