Military employee associated with Kazakhstan's military attaché office apprehended in Poland
Kairat Almaty, the Kazakh football club, has reached the play-off round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League qualifiers and is now one step closer to competing in Europe's premier club tournament.
The journey began with the qualifying rounds, where Kairat successfully advanced through three stages, including a hard-fought victory against Slovan Bratislava in the third round. The match in Bratislava ended 1-0 in Kairat's favour, but it required a penalty shootout to decide the outcome.
The play-off round now presents a formidable challenge, as Kairat faces Scottish club Celtic, former 1967 European Cup winners, in a two-legged tie. The first game will take place on August 20 in Glasgow, with the second leg scheduled for late August (likely August 26) in Almaty.
The first leg in Glasgow ended in a 0-0 draw, a tightly contested match with few clear chances. Kairat showed resilience on the road, denying Celtic several scoring opportunities. The return leg in Almaty is crucial, as the winner on aggregate will secure a place in the Champions League group stage.
Kairat is aiming to make history by qualifying for the Champions League proper for the first time. Although they have already secured a minimum spot in the Europa League group phase by advancing this far, their sights are set higher.
Key players for Kairat in the first leg included midfielder Valeriy Gromyko, who was suspended, and Celtic's Daizen Maeda. The outcome of the second leg will determine Kairat's entry into Europe's premier club competition.
In summary, Kairat Almaty's progress in this Champions League qualifying campaign is historic for Kazakhstan, and the outcome of the second leg will decide their entry into the group stage of the Champions League tournament for the first time. The match against Celtic promises to be an exciting contest, with both teams eager to secure a place in the group stage.
Kairat Almaty's football journey continued in the play-off round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League qualifiers, now confronting Celtic, past winners of the European Cup in 1967. The potential for Kairat to compete in the Champions League proper looms as they prepare for the second leg, aiming to secure a spot in the Champions League group stage, a first for the Kazakh club in sports history.
