Kazakhstan national football team coach Stanislav Cherchesov discussed the preparations for the UEFA Nations League in an interview with the KFF press service.

 

- Mr. Cherchesov, what preparations are underway for the UEFA Nations League matches?

 

- We have a training camp starting soon. I am in close collaboration with Bolat Adambekov, the director of the KFF national teams department. Just liike myself, he is also in Almaty, managing logistical aspects such as training locations and other organizational details.

 

- What are the most important criteria for selecting candidates for the national team, and why?

 

- With nearly a month until the training camp begins, it remains uncertain what condition each player will be in. Experience has taught us that even injuries can happen within such a brief time frame. Obviously, players need to perform for their clubs. However, it is also possible in some teams that stronger international competition means that a player might not get much playtime, and this applies to goalkeepers as well. We need players who are part of the current lineup, but there are also those who are not yet included for the reasons I've mentioned. We are keeping an eye on everyone. My assistants have observed Kusyapov's performance against Rodina in Moscow and Skvortsov's play at Shinnik. This is an ongoing effort. For instance, Samorodov did not make the squad at Akhmat yesterday. I am not informed about the status of his transfer since I have not discussed this issue with anyone. We will wait and see how things unfold; we monitor everyone. This is the role of a head coach in any country.

 

- Is the coaching staff for the national team already in place?

 

- Yes, the coaching staff has indeed been assembled. Currently, Konstantin Gorovenko, the coach of the U21 team, is of great assistance to me in gathering information. Our coaching staff includes Vladimir Panikov as the assistant head coach, Gintaras Stauce as the goalkeeping coach, Paulino Granero as the fitness coach, and Eduard Tsgoev, a doctor who will support our chief medical officer with health-related issues, as has always been my practice.

 

- You recently attended the Kairat vs Elimai match. What are your impressions of the match?

 

- I observed a compelling victory for Kairat. I would also like to mention the pitch quality as it facilitated high-quality football. Kairat seemed more proficient in this aspect. They quickly netted the first two goals and successfully held onto that lead.

 

- What are your conclusions in regards to Astana's matches in the European cups and the league?

 

- I watched their matches against Turan and Milsami. The weather might have impacted the ability to maintain a certain pace and intensity, but Astana deservedly won, especially after a key player was sent off. Incidentally, Milsami is coached by my former player, Igor Pikushak, who played for me at Amkar. I was delighted to see him. He has managed to assemble a competent team with limited resources.

We root for both Astana and Ordabasy. The Shymkent team recently played a challenging match, which turned out to be a real spectacle for the fans, featuring plenty of goals and penalties. The clubs need to regroup and advance to the next round. Reaching the group stage is paramount. This is crucial for the development of Kazakhstani football.

 

- Will there be new names in the national team?

 

- We will see. I'd rather not say anything specific now so as not to be held to my words. We are keeping an eye on everyone. Some players are showing improvement, while others may be nearing the end of their careers, so it is premature to make any predictions. I never consider age as a barrier—after all, I played until I was 40. Additionally, we do not offer any contracts to anyone so age does not matter, really. It is all about the players' readiness at a given moment.

After a recent match, I met with the Astana players, specifically those on the expanded candidate list. We spent about 30-40 minutes discussing various topics, sharing thoughts, and sharing a laugh where we could. I encouraged them to strive for a spot in the starting lineup. During the match against Turan, many national team prospects were on the field, which was encouraging to see. I got to observe them firsthand. Some had not played in a long time, making it hard to gauge their form. I congratulated them on their win.

We will continue to gather information on both our players and our opponents. The league is tough, with strong competitors. We will prepare thoroughly.

 

- How important are players Sadybekov and Valiullin to the national team, and how do you plan to manage their absence due to injuries?

 

- Injuries are always unfortunate. As for Sadybekov, he has appeared in the latest national team games, while Valiullin has been absent for various reasons. Both are highly promising players. We wish them swift recoveries, successful surgeries, and quick returns to the pitch. The most important aspect is ensuring that the team remains complete. A team's strength lies in its ability to adapt and compensate for any losses.