Kazakhstan’s FC Astana, featuring Lithuanian international defender Kipras Kažukolovas, were left frustrated in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie, drawing 1–1 at home against Moldova’s Zimbru Chișinău.
Kažukolovas, 24, once again featured in the starting XI and completed the full 90 minutes. Despite being strong favorites and having reached the group stage/league phase in each of the last two seasons, Astana struggled to impose themselves early and fell behind just before halftime. Zimbru’s Israeli forward Guy Dahan broke the deadlock to stun the home crowd.
Astana responded quickly after the break, with Bosnian midfielder Ivan Bašić leveling the scoreline early in the second half. Statistically, the Kazakh side dominated possession and chances, but were unable to find a breakthrough as Zimbru held firm.
Kažukolovas put in a steady performance at the back, but the team will need to step up in the return leg if they are to keep their league-phase streak alive.
The second leg will be played next week in Moldova. The winner of this tie will go on to face either Ilves (Finland) or AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) in the third qualifying round. In a surprise result, Ilves won the first leg of that pairing 4–3 – adding further intrigue to what lies ahead.
