World Cup Qualifying - Europe | Group Stage

Mar 25, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Rheinpark Stadion

Liechtenstein vs Kazakhstan

Match preview

Liechtenstein went behind after just seven minutes of their latest World Cup qualifying campaign and were humbled 3-0 by North Macedonia at the weekend, managing just a quarter of the possession and registering just one shot on target.

Expectations were understandably low after the tiny principality lost twice to fellow minnows San Marino in the UEFA Nations League late last year, finishing bottom of their three-team group.

Ranked 204th in the FIFA World Ranking, they are unlikely to pick up many points over the next few months, with Wales and Belgium also in Group J. However, a home game against 110th-ranked Kazakhstan is perhaps German coach Konrad Funfstuck's best chance of achieving a rare success.

Funfstuck, who has been in charge since June 2023, has only won once in 19 games, but recently signed a three-year contract extension.

Liechtenstein's squad has a combined value of less than one million euros, underlining the scale of his task, so even a draw on Tuesday night would be worth celebrating.

Like their next hosts, Kazakhstan conceded an early goal and eventually three as they went down to defeat in Cardiff on Saturday night.

The Hawks fell behind in the ninth minute, only to equalise with their first competitive goal since 2023 when Islam Chesnokov's cross was handled and captain Askhat Tagybergen converted the resulting spot-kick.

Despite some fine saves from goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy, the visitors conceded goals at both ends of the second half to end a resilient performance.

Kazakhstan have now lost eight of their last nine competitive matches, their worst run in almost a decade.

Former boss Stanislav Cherchesov was sacked after his side finished bottom of their Nations League group without a point, leaving new coach Ali Aliyev with the task of ending his country's long winless run in World Cup qualifying.

Since September 2013, Kazakhstan have failed to win any of their 22 qualifiers for FIFA's showpiece event, and only San Marino (76) and upcoming opponents Liechtenstein (42) are on a longer run among European nations.

Recent Performance

Liechtenstein World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:L

Liechtenstein form (all competitions):DWDLLL

Kazakhstan World Cup Qualifying - Europe form:L

Kazakhstan form (all competitions):LLLLWL

Team News

Liechtenstein coach Konrad Funfstuck has opted to inject some fresh blood into his 23-man squad for back-to-back home qualifiers, naming five players for the first time.

One of them, Italian-born striker Willy Pizzi, made his debut at the weekend and could partner Dennis Salanovic again, while Swiss-based striker Ferhat Saglam is also in contention for a place up front in a likely 5-3-2 formation.

A number of players will be missing from the squad after the 3-1 loss to San Marino in November, including goalkeeper Justin Ospelt, defender Noah Frommelt and midfielders Marcel Buchel, Livio Meier and Liam Kranz.

Kazakhstan, meanwhile, have named a 32-man squad for back-to-back away matches, led by 60-cap captain Askhat Tagybergen.

Aybar Zhaksylykov was preferred to Adana Demirspor striker Abat Aymbetov against Wales, but the roles could be reversed, with fellow striker Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov - still out of favour at Besiktas - left out of the squad.

Possible starting lineup

Liechtenstein possible starting lineup:

B. Buchel; S. Wolfinger, Traber, Wieser, Goppel, Hofer; Sele, Hasler, Luchinger; Salanovic, Pizzi

Kazakhstan possible starting lineup:

Zarutskiy; Alip, Marochkin, Bystrov; Chesnokov, Tagybergen, Muzhikov, Zhukov, Vorogovskiy; Samorodov, Aymbetov