Kazakhstan v. England: The History (Or Lack Of…)

Fabio Capello takes his England side on their longest trip of the qualifying stage on Saturday as they travel to face Kazakhstan in Almaty in what will be only the second meeting between the two nations.

After gaining independence, Kazakhstan played their first match in 1992 and were originally members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) before switching to UEFA in 2002. The 2010 World Cup Qualifiers mark their fourth attempt at qualification overall and their second as a member of UEFA.

England’s only previous match against Kazakhstan was in October of last year. It was their third match in World Cup Qualifying Group 6 and saw the Three Lions continue their 100% start with a third consecutive win.

It was also England’s first home match of the campaign, after away victories against Andorra and Croatia. It was therefore Fabio Capello’s first competitive match in charge at Wembley and the first World Cup Qualifier at Wembley since 2001 when England famously lost to Germany, a result which led to Kevin Keegan’s immediate resignation.

England toiled in a poor first half display with a 4-3-3 formation as Kazakhstan proved to be stubborn opposition. Capello switched to a more orthodox 4-4-2 at the break with the introduction of Shaun Wright-Phillips in place of Gareth Barry and the deadlock was broken soon after when Ferdinand, captain in the absence of John Terry, headed in following a corner.

A further set piece doubled England’s advantage midway through the second half as Frank Lampard’s free-kick was headed into his own net by Kuchma.

However, Kazakhstan were handed an unlikely way back into the match when Ashley Cole horribly miscued a pass across the edge of this own box which Kukeyez was able to tuck away, prompting portions of the Wembley crowd to boo the Chelsea left-back. 

Wayne Rooney responded with a brace, the second set up by David Beckham, on as a substitute and equalling Bobby Charlton’s tally of 106 appearances, before Jermain Defoe, also on as a substitute, wrapped things up with the fifth goal in the last minute.

The final score of 5-1 perhaps betrayed what was at times a much below-par England performance and the match will undoubtedly be most remembered for Ashley Cole’s harsh treatment from the Wembley crowd.

England’s overall record vs. Kazakhstan

P1        W1       D0        L0         F5        A1