Bordeaux will take a 1-0 lead to Kazakhstan after they beat Kairat 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League qualifier this evening.
Wahbi Khazri gave the Ligue 1 side the lead just before the half-hour mark with a powerful strike that hit the underside of the crossbar before finding the net.
Diego Rolan went close on 37 minutes when his well-struck effort was held by the goalkeeper, after Henri Saivet had earlier fired wide.
Isaac Thelin curled in a free kick towards the end of the half, but the attempt was unable to find the target as the French side searched for the second.
After the break, Andre Poko came closest to making it 2-0 when his shot cannoned off the post.
The home side were unhappy with the visitors' physical approach throughout, but the Ligue 1 outfit managed to squeeze out the victory ahead of the second leg.
Paul Gorst
