ASTANA – In the qualifying match for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, Kazakhstan defeated Bulgaria 4-1 here on May 7.
From the very beginning of the match, the visiting team was kept on the defensive and during the ninth minute, Madina Zhanatayeva opened the scoring table with a spectacular free kick that penetrated the Bulgarian defense. Then, team captain Begaim Kirgizbayeva scored during the 21st and 34th minutes. At the end of the first half, Borislava Kireva upped the match’s high level of suspense by scoring for Bulgaria in the 43rd minute. But in the second half, Maria Yalova finalised the score during minute 70, leaving the Bulgarian team with no chance of winning.
Ironically, the Kazakh squad is coached by Bulgarian Kaloyan Petkov, who admitted after the match that it was very hard to hear the national anthem of his native country and enjoy the defeat of Bulgaria.
In turn, the captain of the Kazakh team, Begaim Kirgizbayeva, said she hoped the match will be the beginning of a series of future wins.
This win elevated the Kazakh team from seventh to fifth place in the standings with four points.
The next game is scheduled for June 14; the team will play at home against Hungary.
