COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Kazakhstan clinched a thrilling victory in their first knockout match, securing a final spot by edging past Qatar with a tense 33-31 win. The heart-pounding encounter took place at Colombo’s Racecourse Stadium, with Kazakhstan turning the tide after trailing 21-14 at halftime.
Both teams displayed intense grit, with Kazakhstan managing to score four goals and one try, totaling 33 points. Qatar matched them closely, scoring four goals and one penalty for a total of 31 points in a truly gripping game of rugby.
The match, originally scheduled to kick off at 4 PM, was delayed by an hour due to adverse weather conditions. Right from the start, both teams demonstrated their offensive prowess, each scoring a try within the first four minutes, bringing the score to a level 7-7.
However, Qatar took the lead in the 26th minute when Maxim Petukhov scored a try, converting it to bring the score to 14-7. Not to be outdone, Kazakhstan fought back, with Wade Lotter scoring their second try in the 34th minute, leveling the score at 14-14 just before halftime.
Just before the break, Qatar seized the lead once again as Iliesa Rakabu’s try, converted by Brook Tremayne, brought the score to 21-14 in Qatar’s favour at halftime.
After the break, Kazakhstan quickly closed the gap when Abdrakhman Nazhibayev scored a try in the 44th minute, although the conversion was missed, leaving the score at 21-19 in Qatar’s favour.
Qatar extended their lead in the 53rd minute with Johann Henry’s try, converted by Tremayne, making it 28-19. However, Kazakhstan fought back valiantly, with Roman Chsherbakov scoring a brilliant try in the 59th minute, narrowing the gap to 28-26 after Nazhibayev’s successful conversion.
Tremayne’s penalty kick in the 65th minute briefly put Qatar back in the lead at 31-26. However, Kazakhstan rallied once more, with Alexander Lymar scoring a crucial try in the mid-left after a well-executed pass. Nazhibayev’s successful conversion secured Kazakhstan’s lead at 33-31.
With this hard-fought victory, Kazakhstan secured their spot in the final, scheduled to take place on May 4 at 7 PM, at the same venue. The match was officiated by Ishanka Abeykoon (SLR), assisted by Raveen Alexander (SLR) and Gihan Yatawara (SLR).
