Following Denmark and Slovenia’s disappointing performances over the weekend, Michael O’Neill opted to make three changes. Dan Ballard returned as an asset for Green and White Army while Shea Charles replaced Dion Washington.
First half play was uneventful with only Maxim Samorodov’s goal for Kazakhstan providing any notable moment. Shea Price saw his bobbling shot well saved early while Conor McMenamin saw one blocked near the line nearing the end.
Goals
Michael O’Neill begged fans not to lose faith following Northern Ireland’s 4-2 loss against Slovenia on Thursday, yet another twist in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign came with this 1-0 defeat in Kazakhstan on Sunday night.
Maxim Samorodov scored an excellent first-half goal to thwart the Green and White Army at Astana Arena. Prior to halftime there had been few clear chances.
Northern Ireland started off the second half on a high note as Shea Charles took an errant shot on goal after Conor McMenamin fed him, before Jordan Thompson replaced Saville to help dominate possession but no clear chances were created for either team. McConnell attempted a shot but it went wide before being penalised for an unnecessary tackle on Trai Hume that resulted in a free kick that Samorodov then sent over the crossbar.
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Goalkeeping
Home side struggle on an artificial surface littered with holes. Their fast and direct style was absent as Shea Charles had his low shot blocked near the edge of the area before an unfortunate touch landed him back into trouble again.
At the end of the first half, Samorodov made an important play to stop McMenamin from scoring an equaliser from close range on goalline, before blocking another attempt from McMenamin as he attempted to convert Conor Washington’s cross. Samorodov’s intervention later proved instrumental.
Aimbetov – who scored a late winner against Northern Ireland when these sides met in Belfast – replaces Zainutdinov for the final few minutes, and scores an unexpected breakaway goal in the 88th minute, sending shockwaves through Euro 2024 qualifying Group H; now only having earned three points against San Marino out of four games played so far.
Possession
After Northern Ireland’s chaotic 4-2 loss against Slovenia on Thursday, Michael O’Neill had demanded changes that would make their team more compact and disciplined, but still struggled in an action-packed matchup in Astana. Manchester United defender Paddy McNair made his comeback at centre defence to replace Ciaron Brown while Jonny Evans came in for Dion Charles up front.
Shea Charles had two shots blocked by Igor Shatskiy as Shea Charles attempted to find an equaliser for the Green and White Army in the second half. Unfortunately, they would come no closer as Kazakhstan sub Abat Aimbetov rode Cathcart to score the decisive winner – providing no comeback attempt for Shea Charles or his teammates to mount in response.
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Samorodov turned Dan Ballard at the edge of the box before unleashing an exquisite low drive that beat Bailey Peacock-Farrell for a brilliant moment of quality from Russia, who now share equal points with Finland at the top of their group; Northern Ireland are fifth after taking three points from their initial five matches this campaign.
Attack
Maksim Samorodov’s goal settled a tight contest. The Green and White Army enjoyed more of the ball and created several better chances, but their goal chances eluded them as Samorodov tracked back to block what looked like certain opportunities for Conor McMenamin in the first half.
Northern Ireland began the second-half much more determinedly as Michael O’Neill brought in Paul Smyth and Jordan Thompson and began applying pressure. Unfortunately for Shea Charles, his long-range effort sailed over the bar.
Even with their more positive approach, Ireland failed to create any clear-cut chances on Astana Arena’s plastic pitch. O’Neill will face an uphill struggle qualifying for Euro 2024 finals next year; until senior players return healthy this dream will remain just a distant possibility; until then the Nations League remains their only hope of glory.
