Kazakhstan – Denmark

The Danes are unlikely to face difficulties in an away game against Kazakhstan

The opening round of European qualification in Group H had a different outcome for the upcoming opponents in Astana. Kazakhstan hosted Slovenia and scored a quick goal that gave the home team's fans hope. However, early in the second half and toward the end of the game, the Slovenians scored two goals to take a three-point lead away from Kazakhstan. The Danes also started qualifying at their home venue in Copenhagen. The game in Copenhagen followed a similar pattern to the one in Astana. The only difference was that it was the Danes that managed to outplay their opponent in the closing stages of the game 1-1. Denmark, Northern Ireland and Slovenia now have three points each, while Kazakhstan, Finland and San Marino are all without a point. Bookmakers without the slightest doubt suggested the guests as favourites for the upcoming game, offering odds of 1.25 on their victory. The Kazakhstani team, despite suffering a defeat on Thursday, is coming along nicely under the new coach. Magomed Adiyev, who was appointed last May, has drawn together all the football resources of the country and put together a first-class effort in the Nations League. Already in the summer of 2022, Kazakhstan's players scored ten points out of twelve possible in four games against Slovakia (twice), Belarus and Azerbaijan. In the autumn, Adiyev's team took the tournament to its logical conclusion, finishing first in their group and advancing to League B. Before their disappointing trip to Qatar, Hjulmand's side battled to the last to win the A-League of Nations, beating France and Austria twice during the draw. The Danes were only kept out of the Final Four by defeats to Croatia. The Scandinavian team's coach will have to maintain the team spirit after a tough game against the Finns and a tough trip to Astana. The visitors are likely to look to their opponents for control in the first half, and will not be active on offense to the maximum extent, shifting the issue of deciding the winner to the second half. Kazakhstan and Denmark have faced each other four times in the last 20 years. Only in the very first meeting between the rivals in 2005 did the second half not contain at least two goals.