Kyrgyzstan leads Kazakhstan 3-2 in kokpar final at halftime

Kyrgyzstan led Kazakhstan 3-2 at halftime of the kokpar final at the VI World Nomad Games, but the score could have been different. Referees disallowed a late Kyrgyz score, and the reason for removing it was not immediately clear.

Kyrgyzstan opened the scoring after only 26 seconds, when Dastan Ruslanov broke quickly toward Kazakhstan’s kazan. Ruslanov scored twice in the first half, while Manas Niyazov added another salym. Near the end of the half, Omurbek Esen uulu appeared to score again, but officials did not count the attempt.

The decision angered supporters in the stands. During the break, they chanted “Four-two!” to protest the disallowed score. The match had already seen a temporary dismissal when Kyrgyzstan’s Dastan Sagynbek uulu was sent off for two minutes after a heavy collision with Kazakhstan’s Kurmanbek Turganbek. Turganbek fell and narrowly avoided the horses’ hooves before receiving medical attention and returning to play.

Seven national teams entered the kokpar competition in two groups. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan finished first in their groups to reach the final. Kazakhstan is the reigning champion, having beaten Kyrgyzstan 5-4 in the final between the same teams at the World Nomad Games in Astana. The deciding second half remained to be played.

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Four-two!