Our prediction for this Nations League match:
Stadion Karadjordje in Novi Sad will host Friday’s Nations League game between Belarus and Kazakhstan, the two teams who sit in the opposite halves of the table. The Kazakhs made a flying start to their Nations League campaign, with the team beating both Azerbaijan and Slovakia without conceding. Magomed Adiyev’s men aim to keep their 100# record in Group 3 intact, but they will have to prove their worth on the field.
A man to watch in the away team will be Aslan Darabayev, who has been producing excellent displays in this edition of the UEFA Nations League. Belarus, on the other hand, are eyeing their first win of the process. Defender Zakhar Volkov is unlikely to feature for the hosts after limping off with injury in the goalless draw with Azerbaijan, with Astana man Max Ebong likely to step up. Anyhow, away win should be considered as Kazakhstan have been impressive in the UEFA Nations League to date.
Highlighted Player (Mikhail Gordejchuk):
Mikhail Gordeichuk is a Belarusian footballer who was born in Saran, Kazakhstan (SSSR) on October 23, 1989. Gordeichuk started his youth career at Shakhter Karagandy, but he made his senior debut for Volna Pinsk in the 2008/2009 season. After scoring 10 goals in 45 appearances for the club the midfielder joined Naftan Novopolotsk in 2010 and he played 32 games in the Belarusian top flight for the club.
In 2011 he moved to BATE Borisov, but he was quickly sent on loan to Belshina Bobruisk. In 2013 he signed a permanent deal with Belshina and it has to be noted that he made 53 appearances in the league (in total) for the Spartak Stadium outfit. Mikhail Gordeichuk then decided to return to BATE Borisov and he has been playing for the most successful Belarusian club ever since. It has to be noted that he won his fourth Belarusian Premier League title with BATE in 2016.
Speaking of his international career, Gordeichuk has established himself as a first-team regular at the Belarus national football team and he scored his first ever goal for the former Soviet republic in a 5-1 win over Liechtenstein on May 21, 2014.
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.