“Kazakh team showed character“ – Portuguese media on Kairat’s Champions League debut

Anelya Kupbayeva Корреспондент

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Tengrinews.kz – Almaty’s Kairat began its first season in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League with a heavy defeat against Sporting Lisbon, but still impressed Portuguese journalists.

The match, held in Lisbon, ended 4:1 in favor of Sporting, with Kairat conceding three goals between the 65th and 68th minutes.

Kalmurza in the spotlight

Kairat looked more confident in the first half, especially after 18-year-old debutant goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza saved a penalty.

“Mrynski fouled Luis Suarez in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Sporting’s captain overthought it and failed to score. Kalmurza blocked the shot with his feet, despite it being his Champions League debut. He was again in the spotlight on the 24th minute, saving a curling shot from Kenda,” reported noticiasaominuto.com.

Another Portuguese outlet described the young goalkeeper’s performance as “magnificent”.

“The composure was so great that it led to a sloppy penalty by Yulmand, attempting a Bruno Fernandes-style strike, and two superb saves by Kalmurza, who turned 18 in June,” wrote A Bola.

Kairat’s organization praised

Despite Sporting being expected to dominate, Portuguese media noted Kairat’s disciplined play under coach Rafael Urazbakhtin.

“Sporting dominated, but the Kazakhs showed themselves as an organized team, using a 4-4-2 defensive scheme. When they had the ball, the players knew what to do with it. Sporting’s inefficiency boosted Kairat’s confidence, especially as they were living a dream, making their Champions League debut,” reported sapo.pt.

Focus on Portuguese Kairat players

Portuguese journalists also highlighted Kairat’s local stars – Jorginho and Luis Mate. Both emphasized how differently Kairat plays at home versus away.

“Home is a different reality. The journey for opponents is long, and the air is different in the mountains, which changes everything. In the four qualifying matches, we didn’t concede a goal at home, even against top teams. Away is a bit harder, but at home we will be strong. Of course, facing Real Madrid is another level, but in Almaty, we will try to show a different game,” said Luis Mate to A Bola.

Jorginho admitted before the match that he grew up supporting Sporting and was thrilled to play at the Lisbon stadium. After the game, he added:

“As with any player, I gave my all. Today it wasn’t enough, but there are other games where it will be. What is done is done. This match was special because it was at Alvalade, and my family and friends were in the stands. It was special not because of the result.”

After the first half, Sporting led 1:0, scoring in the dying moments of the period. In the second half, Sporting extended the lead, but Kairat scored its first-ever goal in the Champions League group stage.

Sherkhan Kalmurza became the second-youngest goalkeeper in Champions League history to save a penalty.