Kazakhstan vs Finland

Astana Arena forms the backdrop for a top-table Euro 2024 qualifying Group H six-pointer between Kazakhstan and Finland.

Kazakhstan’s bid to qualify for the European Championship for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s is going according to plan. Following a frustrating 2-1 home loss to Slovenia in their opening Group H fixture, they have won three consecutive qualifying matches, including the last two without conceding. More impressively, the ‘Hawks’ have humbled none other than Denmark in their most recent home qualifier, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure an outstanding 3-2 victory. That result forms part of Kazakhstan’s formidable five-game home form in all competitions (W4, L1), with Magomed Adiyev’s side netting 2+ goals in each win. But, since they only managed one clean sheet during that sequence, Adiyev’s frontline may have to inspire Kazakhstan to another unlikely qualifying success.

On the other hand, Finland’s underwhelming 3-1 defeat at Denmark in their opening qualifying match seems to have served as a wake-up call for Markku Kanerva’s side. They have since strung together three successive qualifying wins ‘to nil,’ including a 6-0 rout of continental minnows San Marino last time out. However, despite their red-hot form, the visitors cannot take anything for granted, considering a 1-0 triumph at Northern Ireland on their most recent travel marked only their first victory on foreign soil in five games (D2, L2). It was also their first clean sheet on the road since a 2-0 win at Montenegro in September 2022!