Kazakhstan, while ranking 120th in traditional football, excels in futsal, holding the seventh position globally. The country has invested in Brazilian expertise to enhance its futsal capabilities, showing rapid improvement from past humiliations. Local clubs like AFC Kairat have emerged as strong contenders, and recent successes include a significant victory over Portugal. Youth engagement and facilities for futsal are increasing, unlike those for traditional football, indicating a bright future for the sport.
Kazakhstan faces World Cup champions France as underdogs in a qualifying match for the 2022 tournament. However, in futsal, Kazakhstan asserts itself as a formidable opponent, boasting significant investment and Brazilian expertise. The country ranks 120th in traditional football but is seventh in futsal, outperforming France by 16 spots.
Historically, Kazakhstan’s futsal journey began in 2000 with a tough debut, suffering a 12-1 defeat to Brazil in its first World Cup. Political interference hindered its early development, notably under football federation chief Rakhat Aliyev, contributing to struggles at global events. Aliyev’s controversial tenure ended with his exile and subsequent death in prison.
In contrast, Kazakhstan’s modern futsal success stems from Brazilian influences, as current coach Ricardo Kaka and former coach Cacau have driven the team’s growth. Naturalized Brazilian players like goalkeeper Leo Higuita and striker Douglas Junior play crucial roles, supported by Kairat Orazbekov who has invested in scouting and nurturing talent from Brazil.
AFC Kairat, based in Almaty, excels in futsal, even defeating Barcelona in recent prestigious tournaments, showcasing local talent and advanced coaching techniques. Dinmukhambet Suleimenov, Kazakhstan’s most capped player and captain, emphasizes the team’s progress since joining UEFA.
Significantly, a notable achievement was defeating Portugal in World Cup qualifying in 2015, marking a turning point for confidence. A positive outlook remains for youth futsal in Kazakhstan, with many schools equipped with futsal pitches, in stark contrast to the limited infrastructure for traditional football, where only 50 professional fields exist in the country.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
