Kazakhstan host Russia in newly renamed capital

Kazakhstan host Russia in newly renamed capital

Andrew Flint –

Kazakhstan vs Russia – Sunday, March 24, 14:00 GMT/15:00 CET – Nursultan Arena, Nursultan, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan vs Russia will take place at the Nursultan Arena Arena in Nursultan.

Kazakhstan vs Russia will take place at the Nursultan Arena Arena in Nursultan.

Nursultan Nazarbayev oversaw independence for Kazakhstan as the republic broke away from the Soviet Union in 1990, and led the country through a controversial three decades. Some credited him with fostering impressive economic growth, especially in comparison to other former Soviet republics, as well as overseeing a transition to democratic modernity.

Others have criticised his iron grip on power in the country. In 2005 he won the presidential elections with over 91% of the vote, and two years later he successfully pushed through a parliamentary reform that allowed him alone to serve more than the original limit of two five-year terms.

One significant move he made was to move the capital from Almaty to Astana, and develop the new centre of the country to become a modern economic hub of over a million people. In tribute, the day after he stepped down this week it was unanimously decided to rename the city Nursultan.

As if to mirror the shift in power, the capital boasts the league champions from the last five season with Kairat Almaty runners up in the last four. The growth of Kazakh clubs has not yet translated into the national team, however. Since leaving the AFC to become a UEFA member in 2004, glory has been scant at best with the only competitive victories in the last 10 years coming against Andorra, Latvia, the Faroe Islands and Azerbaijan.

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After the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Gerson Acevedo spent the twilight of their careers in the Kazakh league, a certain sparkle has slowly begun to emerge in the country. Yerkebulen Seydakhmet is touted as the brightest teenage prospect in central Asia, while Baktiyor Zaynutdinov is reversing the defensive trend of the national team.

The impact of the Scotland result outweighs any likely disappointment at failing to qualify irrelevant; countries can no longer assume a comfortable three points when they travel to Nursultan. The question is whether they can back it up with a far more seismic result against Russia.

A bold team selection by Stanislav Cherchesov in Brussels threatened in patches to pay off in spectacular fashion against the top-ranked country in world football. Aleksandr Golovin was instrumental in dictating possession under intense pressure from Belgium’s electric midfield but will be absent in on the pitch after being sent off late on for a tame reaction to a dirty kick from Dries Mertens.

There is plenty of variety in Russia’s midfield options so in one sense his role will be filled without too much panic. Magomed Ozdoev has been in excellent form for Zenit St. Petersburg, while both Miranchuk twins were held back from the starting lineup.

With the advent of the inaugural UEFA Nations League, there is, of course, the potential back door for qualifying for the expanded 24-team tournament next summer. Russia are the highest-ranked side not to win their group in League B with seven points and a better goals scored tally than Austria.

This effectively means they will take one of the playoff places to qualify for Euro 2020 if – as expected – there are not four nations left from League A of the Nations League who have not already qualified from the traditional Euro qualification groups.

There is little chance Cherchesov will even contemplate allowing his players to take their feet off the pedal with the possible margin for error, though, given the relative ease of the group. Belgium are virtual shoe-ins to win the group already, but following Scotland’s result, after this weekend Russia will have effectively got two of their three trickiest fixtures out of the way in their first two games of this campaign. If that can include three points from Nursultan into the bargain, there will thankfully be no need for boffins with calculators and doctorates to determine whether Russia will be at the finals.

Kazakhstan vs Russia – Players to Watch

Baktiyor Zaynutdinov #19 – Kazakhstan

A winter transfer window signing for Rostov, Zaynutdinov has made a blistering start to his international career with four goals in his first 10 senior appearances for his country. His move from Nursultan to the Russian league just rewards for his attacking potential, although he is yet to have had time to make a real impression with just one start under Valeri Karpin. His impressive upper body strength and confidence to hold onto the ball belie his 20 years of age. Perhaps his most valuable asset is his aggressive passing style that always looks to unsettle the opposition as opposed to settling for the safer, more comfortable option.

stana's Kazakh forward Baktiyor Zaynutdinov (L) vies for the ball with Rennes' French midfielder Benjamin Andre (R) during the UEFA Europa League Group K football match between Rennes (Stade Rennais FC) and Astana (FC) on December 13, 2018 at the Roazhon Park in Rennes. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

Nursultan’s Kazakh forward Baktiyor Zaynutdinov (L) vies for the ball with Rennes’ French midfielder Benjamin Andre (R) during the UEFA Europa League Group K football match between Rennes (Stade Rennais FC) and Astana (FC) on December 13, 2018 at the Roazhon Park in Rennes. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

Mario Fernandes #2  – Russia

Amidst the controversy caused by former Russian international Pavel Pogrebnyak questioning the Russian citizenship of Ari because of the colour of his skin, another Brazilian-born international is fast becoming the vital cog in Russia’s attacking system. Fernandes combines a solid physical presence in both penalty areas, as demonstrated by his winner for club side CSKA Moscow away to Ural Ekaterinburg recently, with pace and accurate crossing. Russia don’t play with a natural out-and-out winger on the right flank, meaning Mario Fernandes is the key to balancing the attacking threat. If he can make use of Kazakhstan’s narrow midfield, Russia may find the answer to unlocking a stubborn defence.

Mario Fernandes of Russia celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Mario Fernandes of Russia celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Quarter Final match between Russia and Croatia at Fisht Stadium on July 7, 2018 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Kazakhstan vs Russia – Match Stats

  • Before their shock 3-0 win over Scotland in Nursultan this week, Kazakhstan had only won three competitive matches at home in almost 11 years
  • In their two competitive meetings, Kazakhstan have conceded six and scored none against Russia
  • Including the Scotland result, Kazakhstan have kept just six clean sheets at home in 15 years of qualification for major tournaments
  • Russia have lost six of their last seven away matches
  • They have won eight of their last 12 European Championship qualifiers away from home, keeping a clean sheet in five of the last nine
  • Russia have only lost three Euro qualifiers in over eight years

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: Kazakhstan vs Russia 1-2

Kazakhstan vs Russia – Possible Lineups 

Kazakhstan

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Nepogodov – Postnikov, Erlanov, Maliy – Vorogovskiy, Pertsukh, Kuat, Suyumbaev – Zaynutdinov, Merkel – Murtazaev

Head Coach: Michal Bilek

Russia

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Guilherme – Fernandes, Dzhikia, Kudryashov, Zhirkov – Akhmetov, Gazinskiy – Aleksey Miranchuk, Ozdoev, Anton Miranchuk – Dzyuba

Head coach: Stanislav Cherchesov


Andrew Flint is an English freelance football writer living in Tyumen, Western Siberia, with his wife and two daughters. He has featured on These Football Times, Russian Football News, Four Four Two and Sovetski Sport, mostly focusing on full-length articles about derbies, youth development and the game in Russia. Due to his love for FC Tyumen, he is particularly interested in lower league Russian football and is looking to establish himself in time for the 2018 World Cup. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMijFlint.

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