“The Russian football team needs to take an example from Kazakhstan”

In the Euro 2024 qualifying round that started, there were practically no surprises in the first four match days. But the real sensation was the extremely strong-willed victory of Kazakhstan over Denmark, because by the 73rd minute, the 115th team in the world ranking was inferior to the 18th with a score of 0: 2. And it all ended – 3: 2. About the reasons for the miraculous transformation, which clearly confirmed the futility of the Asian future for Russian teams, we talked with the famous Soviet and Russian football player Dmitry Galyamin. It is no coincidence, since he was among those who stood at the origins of the current success of Kazakhstani football.

– You headed the academy of Alma-Ata “Kairat” for three years. Which of yesterday’s victors was then brought up under your guidance?

– Defender Alip, who is now in the “Zenith”, and striker Orazov, who played the entire match. And in the main team with me were four more from yesterday’s squad.

– What happened at the Astana Arena in the very endgame of a seemingly already decided game?

– The result, what can I say, is amazing in itself, not to mention the enchanting denouement. I think it was the long tiring flight of the guests, no less than 12-13 hours, bearing in mind the current air corridors and the tight schedule of the new qualifying round.

– And I thought a rare case of laxity on the part of the traditionally disciplined Scandinavians?

– Rather, it is worth making claims to coach Yulmann. Leading 2-0 with 15 minutes left, it’s not that hard to hold onto the win. He did not make tactical substitutions that were so necessary in this situation.

– Which does not detract from the merits of his colleague, the Russian coach Adiev, who is well known to us from Anji and Terek.

– Maga has always bribed with his calmness, which is now transmitted to his players. Very sociable, respectful, but radiating confidence. Therefore, after a frankly pale game against Slovenia, such a metamorphosis happened. The guys did not lose faith in themselves even with the score 0: 2.

– A fantastic comeback was started by a goal from the penalty spot of CSKA midfielder Zainutdinov. Lack of game practice, as we see, does not affect the confidence in the performance of the 11-meter kick?

– He is the undisputed leader of the national team, an indisputable authority even at the age of 24. And at home, with such support, no practice is needed to score a penalty if everything is in order with the nerves. And in terms of psychology, he will give odds to much more mature ones.

– A delightful shot by Tagybergen led to an intermediate draw in the 86th minute, and Aimbetov put it in the 89th winning point. Surely, the goalkeeper of the Danes Schmeichel will now remember these hard-to-pronounce names for a long time?

– Well, he is unlikely, but Russian clubs should take a closer look at a number of players. They will certainly do it, but whether the Kazakhs will come to us today is a big question.

– Is it possible to assume that another post-Soviet country is becoming quite a serious football force?

– The question is to what extent. It will be very difficult to get into the final tournaments of the World and European Championships. Steps forward have been made, but there is still no depth of reserve. Of the academies, only Kairat has the top one. But, of course, the team today has reached a new level.

– This qualitative breakthrough, in my opinion, proves that the competitive environment in European football is much more promising than the tempting Asian offers. Do you understand where I’m getting at?

– We definitely need to take a break, and not twitch anywhere yet. I believe that in the next six months, the prospects for football Russia on the world stage will be determined unequivocally – with a plus or minus sign. Kazakhstan at one time replaced the Asian Confederation with the European one, and from the point of view of development, it did the right thing. Yes, they could sometimes get into the final tournament of the Asian Cup, but hardly the World Cup. Believe me, there and Russia has no more chances.