Our prediction for this Euro 2024 match:
Kazakhstan
Match Time & Date:
23/03/2023
16:00
Prediction: 1-1
Slovenia
Astana Arena will host Thursday’s EURO 2024 qualifier between Kazakhstan and Slovenia, the two teams who meet for the first time ever in a competitive match. Kazakhstan were producing fine displays in the UEFA Nations League last time out, with the team winning Group 3 (League C), and, no doubt, they want to continue with good results in the EURO qualifiers. Astana forward Abat Aymbetov is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts.
The Slovenians, on the other hand, were producing fined displays in November friendlies, with the team beating both Romania and Montenegro, but Thursday’s clash will be anything but a walk in the park for Matjaz Kek’s troops. Since Kazakhstan are tough to beat at home, we are tempted to put our money on draw. A man to watch in the away side will be Panathinaikos striker Andraz Sporar, who has netted eight goals so far this season.
Highlighted Player (Andraz Sporar):
Born in Ljubljana, Slovenia on February 27, 1994, Andraz Sporar is a striker who plays for Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava. Sporar spent his youth career at the likes of Olimpija, MNK Ljubljana and Interblock and he continued playing for the last mentioned club at senior level.
After scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances for the club, the Slovenian attacker moved to his hometown club Olimpija Ljubljana where he earned the captaincy. Andraz Sporar was scoring goals for fun in the Slovenian top flight, netting 46 goals in 95 appearances in the league, but he then decided to take a step forward in his career.
In the 2015/2016 season he moved to Swiss outfit Basel, but he made no more than 19 appearances in the league for the RotBlau. During his spell with Basel Sporar played for Arminia Bielefeld on loan as well and in the winter of 2018 he joined Slovan Bratislava. Speaking of his international career, he made his debut with Slovenia in November 2016 against Malta.
Highlighted Team (Kazakhstan):
Kazakhstan national team played their first international match on June 1, 1992 against Turkmenistan, with the team beating the Emeralds 1-0. The former Soviet republic have been competing on the international stage since 1991, when the country declared independence.
Kazakhstan have yet to book their place at major tournaments, but they have not been serving as a cannon fodder for top European national teams. The Kazakhs were part of Asian Football Confederation before joining UEFA in 2002. However, they could not enter UEFA Euro 2004 qualification as the draw had been made earlier. Kazakhstan national football team recorded their biggest win over Pakistan in June, 1997 and they suffered their biggest defeat in 2005, with the team losing to Turkey 6-0.
Kazakhstan wear sky-blue shirts and sky-blue shorts when playing at home, while their away colour is yellow. Astana Arena is considered Kazakhstan national football team’s home ground and the capacity of the stadium is 30.244. The venue was opened in July, 2009.
