Finland will host Kazakhstan as both teams look to stay in the race for qualification for Euro 2024. The two countries are four points behind Slovenia and Denmark after their weekend losses. Even a victory in Helsinki might not be enough to keep them in the running.
Preview (Finland vs. Kazakhstan)
There was a lot riding on Finland’s match against Slovenia on Saturday, as the top four teams in European Championship qualifying Group H were separated by just one point going into this month’s games. However, Markku Kanerva’s team was unable to handle Slovenian starlet Benjamin Sesko’s slick finishing. The teenage forward’s first-half double ultimately ended Finland’s aspirations in a 3-0 loss at Ljubljana’s Stadion Stozice. If Finland loses to Kazakhstan on Tuesday and both Denmark and Slovenia win, they will not be able to finish in the top two, forcing them to rely on a possible backdoor entry into the finals next summer. The candle of hope still flickers even though Finland, plays Northern Ireland and San Marino in November. They are currently four points behind Group H’s top two teams. However, at least one of Denmark and Slovenia will shed points when they play each other next month.
Kazakhstan has never competed in a major tournament at the senior level. Thus qualification for Germany 2024 would be a first for the former Soviet nation. Magomed Adiyev’s team entered the competition with a three-game winning streak earlier this year. However, after losing 1-0 to Finland in the rematch last month before defeating Northern Ireland once more, they suffered their second loss in three qualifiers at the weekend. Yan Vorogovskiy’s second-half goal for Kazakhstan, who had fallen down three goals just after the interval, was simply a consolation for the visitors after Denmark defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 at home to avenge their setback in Astana.
Therefore, if the Kazakhs lose in Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium and both Denmark and Slovenia win, they will not be able to place in the top two, but – like their rivals – a playoff spot gives them a second shot. That may be for the best for the 100th-ranked country in FIFA. They have lost all five of their prior competitive encounters with Finland, scoring only one goal in the process.
Team News
Benjamin Kallman and Glen Kamara supported Teemu Pukki, a 38-goal striker, on Saturday when Antman was out due to injury. However, after the Finns failed to score in their second straight qualifier, coach Markku Kanerva may bring in Joel Pohjanpalo to reenergize his front line. Promotion to the starting XI for winger Daniel Hakans, who has the most goals for the hosts in Euro 2024 qualifying after scoring a hat-trick against San Marino, is another possibility.
Maksim Samorodov has two goals in seven Group H games so far. Four other players from Kazakhstan will be one caution away from suspension when they arrive in Helsinki. Magomed Aliyev, the team’s head coach, is not likely to make many adjustments based on Tuesday’s outcome. The team’s hopes of securing automatic qualification depend on it. Games against Slovenia and San Marino could be moot anyhow.
As a result, Samorodov should assist Astana striker Abat Aymbetov in attack as Nuraly Alip manages a three-man defense for Zenit St. Petersburg. However, Finland should benefit from home advantage and eke out a one-goal victory; Kazakhstan may advance to the playoffs.
Finland 1 – 0 Kazakhstan
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