Liechtensteinvs.Kazakhstan

While the hosts lost at home to North Macedonia, their Kazakh counterparts left Wales empty-handed despite putting up a brave fight.

Match preview

Trailing after just seven minutes of their latest World Cup qualifying campaign, Liechtenstein went on to suffer a 3-0 defeat to North Macedonia at the weekend, when they had just a quarter share of possession and produced a single shot on target.

Expectations were suitably low, as the little principality had lost twice to fellow minnows San Marino in the UEFA Nations League late last year, ultimately finishing rock-bottom of their three-team group.

Occupying 204th place in FIFA's world rankings, they may not expect to pick up many points over the next few months, with Wales and Belgium also featuring in Group J.

However, a home game against 110th-ranked Kazakhstan perhaps offers the best chance for German coach Konrad Funfstuck to experience some rare success.

Though Funfstuck - who has been in charge since June 2023 - has only won once in 19 games to date, he recently extended his contract for another three years.

Liechtenstein's squad are cumulatively valued at less than one million euros, demonstrating the size of his task, so even a draw on Tuesday evening would surely be worth celebrating.

Like their next hosts, Kazakhstan shipped an early goal and eventually conceded three, as they went down to defeat in Cardiff on Saturday night.

The Hawks went behind in the ninth minute, but they later scored a first competitive goal since 2023 to equalise: Islam Chesnokov's cross was handled, before captain Askhat Tagybergen converted the subsequent spot kick.

Despite goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy making several saves, the visitors then leaked goals at either end of the second half and were left with nothing to show from a resilient performance.

Having previously endured a dismal 2024, Kazakhstan have now lost eight of their last nine competitive matches - their worst such run for almost a decade.

Former boss Stanislav Cherchesov was sacked after his team finished last in their Nations League group without even scoring, so new coach Ali Aliyev has been tasked with halting his country's long winless run in World Cup qualifying.

Since September 2013, the Kazakhs have won none of 22 qualifiers for FIFA's top competition: among all European nations, only San Marino (76) and upcoming opponents Liechtenstein (42) are on longer streaks.

Liechtenstein World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:

L

Liechtenstein form (all competitions):

D

W

D

L

L

L

Kazakhstan World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:

L

Kazakhstan form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

W

L

Team News

Liechtenstein boss Konrad Funfstuck decided to add some fresh blood when calling up 23 men for consecutive home qualifiers, bringing in five players for the first time.

One, Italy-born forward Willy Pizzi, made his debut at the weekend, and he could partner Dennis Salanovic once again; Switzerland-based striker Ferhat Saglam will also vie for selection up front in a likely 5-3-2 formation.

Several players are absent this month, following November's 3-1 loss to San Marino, including goalkeeper Justin Ospelt, defender Noah Frommelt, and midfielders Marcel Buchel, Livio Meier and Liam Kranz.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan's selected a 32-man squad for successive away games, led by 60-cap skipper Askhat Tagybergen.

Aybar Zhaksylykov was preferred to Adana Demirspor striker Abat Aymbetov against Wales, but those roles could now be reversed; fellow forward Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov - still out of favour at Besiktas - was not called up.

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:

B. Buchel; S. Wolfinger, Traber, Wieser, Goppel, Hofer; Sele, Hasler, Luchinger; Salanovic, Pizzi

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:

Zarutskiy; Alip, Marochkin, Bystrov; Chesnokov, Tagybergen, Muzhikov, Zhukov, Vorogovskiy; Samorodov, Aymbetov

We say: Liechtenstein 0-2 Kazakhstan

After six straight competitive defeats, Kazakhstan can finally end their wait for success by winning in Liechtenstein.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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