In the photo: Astana Motors founder Nurlan Smagulov, head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin, and goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.
Following FC Kairat’s sensational victory over Celtic, Astana Motors founder Nurlan Smagulov met with the team and personally congratulated head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin and goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov, DKNews.kz reports.
Kazakhstan’s football is living through a historic moment – Almaty’s FC Kairat has stunned the world by advancing to the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in its history, defeating the legendary Scottish club Celtic. After two goalless matches, the decisive ticket was won in a penalty shootout, where Kairat’s composure proved decisive.
In the photo: Founder of Astana Motors Nurlan Smagulov, CEO of Astana Motors Beknur Nesipbayev, FC Kairat Chairman Kairat Boranbayev, head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin, and goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov / Astana Motors
To mark this milestone, one of the country’s most prominent businessmen, Nurlan Smagulov – founder of Astana Motors, which includes Hyundai’s official distribution in Kazakhstan – presented a symbolic gift. He handed over the keys to a brand-new Hyundai Palisade, the flagship SUV of the brand, to head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin.
“The Palisade was no random choice. It is a car made for those who value innovation, reliability, and prestige,” Smagulov noted.
“We are proud of your victory. This is a huge step not only for Kairat but for all of Kazakh football. We sincerely wish you more success and are always ready to support the team. We believe that Kairat will be able to surprise Europe. Ahead of you is a historic match against Real Madrid here in Almaty – a global event, and we will be cheering for you. You are developing Kazakh football, and we are developing Kazakhstan’s auto industry. Together, we are working for the good of our country. This vehicle, like the entire Hyundai lineup, is manufactured at our Hyundai Trans Kazakhstan plant in Almaty. An Almaty-made car for Almaty’s football club,” – said Nurlan Smagulov.
FC Kairat president Kairat Boranbayev emphasized that the club’s success came under the leadership of a Kazakh coach who himself had played for both Kairat and the national team for many years.
In the photo: Rafael Urazbakhtin signing a FC Kairat jersey / Astana Motors
For his part, Rafael Urazbakhtin expressed gratitude for the honor and recognition, highlighting that the victory was the result of the entire team’s work.
“For me, first of all, it’s a great honor to receive such a gift. Thank you for the attention and trust. But I want to stress that this is not just my achievement – it’s the achievement of the players, the coaching staff, the medical team, and the entire football club. I would also like to thank our fans, who have always supported us and believed in us. We, in turn, will continue doing our best to delight our Kazakh supporters with new victories,” – said the head coach.
Goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov was also recognized. Smagulov presented him with an Apple MacBook, shaking his hand and saying that “the future is wide open” for the young player.
Astana Motors continues to systematically invest in cultural, sporting, educational, and social initiatives. Football, in this case, became a platform where national pride intersected with the company’s values and Hyundai’s brand philosophy.
In the photo: Head coach Rafael Urazbakhtin and goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov / Astana Motors
It is worth noting that the new generation Hyundai Palisade was introduced in Kazakhstan this August. The SUV is available in all Hyundai dealerships across the country. More information about the model can be found on the official website.
