Kazakhstan head coach John van ’t Schip has named an extended squad for the November Nations League fixtures against Moldova and Slovakia. Dastan Satpaev and Islam Chesnokov are back in the national team after missing Kazakhstan’s previous four matches in the competition.
The extended squad includes 38 players — four goalkeepers, 14 defenders, 11 midfielders and nine forwards.
Goalkeepers: Temirlan Anarbekov (Kairat), Bekhan Shaizada (Ordabasy), Aleksandr Zarutsky (Aktobe), Stas Pokatilov (Sabah).
Defenders: Adilbek Zhumakhanov and Arsen Ashirbek (both Yelimay), Alibek Kassym and Yan Vorogovskiy (both Astana), Damir Kasabulat, Aleksandr Shirobokov, Aleksandr Mrynskiy and Yerkin Tapalov (all Kairat), Sergey Maliy and Temirlan Yerlanov (both Ordabasy), Nuraly Alip (Zenit), Sanzhar Satanov (Atyrau), Vladislav Vasilyev (Okzhetpes), Nauryzbek Zhagorov (Tobol).
Midfielders: Ramazan Orazov and Almas Tolybai (both Yelimay), Aibol Abiken (Kyzylzhar), Georgy Zhukov (Aktobe), Islambek Kuat (Zhenis), Bauyrzhan Islamkhan, Dinmukhamed Karaman and Stanislav Basmanov (all Astana), Abinur Nurymbet, Zhasulan Amir and Elkhan Astanov (all Ordabasy).
Forwards: Islam Chesnokov (Krylia Sovetov), Ismail Bekbolat and Azamat Tuyakbayev (both Kairat), Dastan Satpaev (Burnley), Galymzhan Kenzhebek and Maksim Samorodov (both Akhmat), Artur Shushenachev (Aktobe), Ramazan Karimov (Astana) and Artem Litosh (Shakhtyor).
Satpaev was initially named in the extended squad for the September-October international window, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the final squad and he missed all four matches. The 18-year-old forward returned to action for Burnley in October.
Chesnokov was included in the final squad for the previous international window but did not play either. He was due to miss the first two matches, against the Faroe Islands and Slovakia, through suspension, before leaving the national team camp because of injury.
The November fixtures are Kazakhstan’s final chance to challenge for second place in the group. After four matches, Van ’t Schip’s side are fourth with two points. Slovakia have 10 points and are already out of reach, while the Faroe Islands and Moldova have four points each.
Kazakhstan can no longer win the group and earn direct promotion to League B, but they still have a chance to finish second. The runners-up in the League C groups will enter promotion play-offs against League B teams.
Kazakhstan are still without a win in this Nations League campaign. They drew 1-1 away to the Faroe Islands and 2-2 at home, while losing 2-1 to both Slovakia and Moldova.
The upcoming matches could also be Van ’t Schip’s last in charge of the national team. The Dutch coach was appointed in August ahead of the Nations League campaign.
At the time, Kazakhstan Football Federation CEO Scott Mann said the main objective for the new coaching staff was to win the group and return to League B. The terms of Van ’t Schip’s contract were not disclosed, while the KFF said it would review the results after the Nations League campaign before making a decision on future cooperation.
Kazakhstan will face Moldova at Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau on November 13 before finishing the group stage at home to Slovakia at Astana Arena on November 16.