Liechtenstein vs Kazakhstan

Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan will search for their inaugural Group J points during their upcoming clash in Vaduz on Tuesday.

The Kazakh team achieved a brave defensive performance versus Wales but remained without any points while their opposition conceded defeat to North Macedonia at home.

The tiny nation trailed North Macedonia from match kick-off to the seventh minute during their World Cup qualifying match before succumbing to a 3-0 loss by playing only 25% of the game and landing a single direct shot on target.

Low expectations were appropriate because San Marino beat Liechtenstein twice in UEFA Nations League play last year that secured their place at the bottom of their group.

The FIFA world rankings' 204th position should prevent Liechtenstein from scoring many points during upcoming matches since both Belgium and Wales belong to Group J.

The German coach Konrad Funfstuck holds potentially his best opportunity for success during the upcoming Kazakhstan match which sits at 110th position in the rankings.

Early this year Funfstuck secured a new three-year contract extension even though his winning record stands at just one from nineteen matches.

The total market value of all Liechtenstein players amounts to under one million euros so a draw Tuesday night would certainly bring joy to the nation.
Kazakhstan suffered a similar fate in their match against Wales since they allowed three goals along with their opening goal in their October 28th encounter.

During the ninth minute Liechtenstein gained the initial lead of the match before Askhat Tagybergen successfully converted a penalty that ended their long dry spell from competitive goals since 2023.

Despite a strong performance from goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy, who made multiple crucial saves, the visitors conceded goals at the start and end of the second half, leaving them empty-handed despite their determined effort.

Kazakhstan’s struggles in 2024 continue, with eight losses in their last nine competitive matches—marking their worst run in nearly a decade.

After a dismal Nations League campaign, where they finished at the bottom of their group without scoring a single goal, former manager Stanislav Cherchesov was dismissed. Now, new head coach Ali Aliyev faces the tough challenge of ending Kazakhstan’s winless streak in World Cup qualifying.

The Kazakhs have failed to win any of their last 22 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a drought stretching back to September 2013. Among European nations, only San Marino (76) and their next opponents, Liechtenstein (42), have longer winless streaks in qualifying.