On April 25, 2026, Kazakhstani forward Abat Aimbetov scored his first official goal for Romanian club Petrolul Ploiești in a Liga I relegation group match against FCSB. The goal came in the 90th minute after he entered the game as a substitute in the 80th minute, marking a personal milestone despite his team’s 3-1 defeat.
The match, played at FCSB’s home ground, saw the hosts take an early lead through Florin Tănase, who converted a penalty in the 16th minute. Octavian Popescu extended the advantage in the 27th minute, and Darius Olaru sealed the victory with a goal in the 55th minute. Aimbetov’s late strike served as a consolation goal for Petrolul, which remains in seventh place in the relegation group with 23 points, while FCSB leads the group with 36 points.
Aimbetov, who began his professional career with FC Aktobe in Kazakhstan in 2012, joined Petrolul earlier in the 2025-2026 season as part of the club’s efforts to strengthen its attacking options. His goal against FCSB represents his first official contribution in Romanian league competition, following a period of adaptation to the new environment and tactical system.
The goal was widely shared across Kazakhstani sports media, with outlets such as Sports.kz and Offside.kz publishing video highlights of the moment. The clip shows Aimbetov receiving a pass inside the penalty area, controlling the ball with his left foot, and finishing low past the FCSB goalkeeper to spark brief celebration among the visiting players and staff.
Despite the loss, the goal was viewed as a positive sign for Aimbetov’s integration into the Petrolul squad. Head coach Marius Lacatus praised the player’s professionalism and operate ethic in post-match comments, noting that the goal was a reward for his persistence during training and limited playing time earlier in the season.
Aimbetov’s journey to Romania began after several seasons in the Kazakh Premier League, where he established himself as one of the country’s most consistent goal scorers. His move to Petrolul marked his first experience playing in European football, a transition that required adjustments in pace, physicality, and tactical discipline.
The player has expressed admiration for Romanian football culture and has been working to improve his Romanian language skills to better communicate with teammates and coaching staff. Off the pitch, he has been involved in community outreach initiatives organized by the club, including youth football clinics in Ploiești.
Looking ahead, Petrolul faces a crucial phase of the season as they aim to avoid relegation from Liga I. The team’s upcoming fixtures include matches against direct relegation rivals, where every point will be critical. Aimbetov is expected to receive more playing time as the season progresses, particularly if the club continues to pursue an attacking strategy to climb out of the bottom half of the table.
His development will be closely monitored by fans and analysts in Kazakhstan, where he is regarded as a potential leader for the national team in future international competitions. For now, the focus remains on gaining consistent minutes and contributing to Petrolul’s efforts to secure their top-flight status.
As of the latest update, no further matches have been played since the FCSB encounter, and the team is preparing for its next fixture in the relegation group. Official club communications indicate that the squad is maintaining a regular training schedule ahead of the upcoming game.
For supporters wishing to follow Aimbetov’s progress, Petrolul’s official website and social media channels provide regular updates on match schedules, team news, and player performances. Highlights of his goal against FCSB remain available on the club’s YouTube channel and through partner sports platforms.
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