Champions League Returns to Kazakhstan as Kairat Almaty Shines

Almaty, Aug 27 (AP) The Champions League is making its way to Kazakhstan for only the second time, as teams from Norway and Cyprus also secured their spots in the prestigious league phase on Tuesday.

Kairat Almaty's goalkeeper, Temirlan Anarbekov, emerged as the hero by saving three penalties in the shootout, leading the Kazakh champions past Celtic in the qualifying playoffs. Both teams played to a second successive 0-0 draw, but Almaty clinched the victory with a 3-2 win in the shootout.

Over in Norway, Bodo/Glimt comfortably advanced past Sturm Graz. Despite a 2-1 loss in their return leg in Austria, they managed to secure a comprehensive 6-2 win on aggregate. This victory means that Champions League action will be witnessed at their stadium located within the Arctic Circle this season.

In an unexpected development, Cypriot champions Pafos sent shockwaves through the competition by ousting Red Star Belgrade, the European champions from 1991. Brazilian forward Jajá leveled the scoreline with an 89th-minute goal, ensuring a 1-1 draw at home which allowed Pafos to advance on a 3-2 aggregate.

The triumphant trio will now join defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and other European heavyweights at the draw ceremony in Monaco scheduled for Thursday.

Kairat's success marks a significant milestone, a decade after Astana became the only other Kazakh squad to reach the group stage of this elite European competition.

Notably, Almaty is positioned four time zones and several thousand kilometers east of possible opponents from England and Portugal.

As for Celtic, the winners of the 1967 European Cup, they will now compete in the second-tier Europa League alongside Red Star and Sturm Graz, a shift from last year's Champions League participation for all three.

The remaining four Champions League qualifying playoffs are set to conclude on Wednesday, finalizing the 36-team lineup.

Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce faces his former team Benfica in a goalless stalemate. Meanwhile, Club Brugge holds a 3-1 advantage at home against Rangers, and Qarabag leads by the same margin over visitors Ferencvaros. Copenhagen and Basel remain deadlocked at 1-1. (AP)

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