Day 69

I spent the morning having a walk around Aktobe. I like being here, back in a city and seeing the bright lights after being out on the Steppe. I notice a big football stadium close to my hotel. Aktobe FC are playing this evening so I decide to go. I am more interested in watching the fans than the game. I am not a big football fan, and this experience does nothing to change this. Aktobe are playing Astana. Astana play dirtily and Aktobe have many free kicks. However it is Astana that take the lead in the first half. I think about leaving at half time, but decide that I may as well stick it out to the end. Aktobe equalise and it ends 1 - 1. I am glad when it is over.

Hard core Aktobe fans. "Allah Aktobe!" along to a big drum is the cry! I did not see any away fans. I wonder if this is policy or if I am just unobservant.