Khan Tengri FC and Ekibastuzets played to a 1-1 draw in the Kazakhstan Cup on March 22, 2025, setting up an intriguing second leg. The evenly matched cup tie saw both teams score in the first half, leading to a tactical second period where neither side wanted to make a costly mistake. Khan Tengri opened the scoring at home with a header from a corner, taking an early advantage. However, Ekibastuzets responded well and equalized before halftime with a clinical finish on the counter-attack. The second half was more cautious, with both teams prioritizing defensive stability over risking too much in attack. The match result leaves everything to play for in the return leg, with the away goal potentially giving Ekibastuzets a slight psychological edge. Both managers stated they were satisfied with the draw but acknowledged the tie was far from over.