Kairat’s Champions League debut falters, but young goalkeeper shines

Kairat Almaty started in the Champions League group stage with three goals conceded in three minutes and a penalty successfully saved by the team’s young third-choice goalkeeper. The match between Kairat and Portugal’s Sporting on Sept. 18 in Lisbon ended 4-1 (Sporting: Francisco Trincão 44’, 65’; Alisson Santos 67’; Geovany Quenda 68’; Kairat: Edmilson 86’).

Although the Kazakhstani debutants did not manage to replicate the recent sensation of Azerbaijani Qarabağ defeating Benfica 3-2 as visitors, Kairat looked quite solid at times. Nevertheless, the Almaty club has no prior experience in the Champions League, whereas the Azerbaijani team has previously competed in the group stage.

At the beginning of the second half, Kairat pressed the hosts so intensely that an equalizer would not have been unexpected. Jorginho, standing face-to-face with Sporting goalkeeper João Virgínia, could have completely changed the game’s momentum. However, Kairat players shot straight at the goalkeeper, and even the consolation goal by Edmilson, though unstoppable for the Portuguese team under the crossbar, was also directed centrally. Meanwhile, the Kazakh team’s defense seemed to disappear between the 65th and 68th minutes, allowing Sporting to score three consecutive goals.

As in the match against Celtic, Kairat’s goalkeeper stood out as the team’s highlight. Eighteen-year-old Sherkhan Kalmurza saved a penalty from Morten Hjulmand in the first half, sparking hopes of a miracle and drawing media attention as the youngest goalkeeper to save a penalty in a Champions League debut. According to UEFA, Kalmurza was the third youngest goalkeeper to play in the tournament and the second youngest to save a penalty.

Kairat’s next Champions League game is scheduled for Sept. 30 against Real Madrid in Almaty.