For the first time since 2006 without dual nationality

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When the national team struggled with current opponent Kazakhstan (3-2) at the World Cup in Helsinki a year ago, the team from Central Asia was still full with ten dual nationals. Swiss goalkeeper Sandro Aeschlimann let a shot from Canadian-born Jesse Blacker slip through.

Anyone who is in the Swiss goal today no longer has to fear Blacker. Kazakh-Russian double citizen Roman Sawtschenko, who caught Reto Berra (“Who has never been in goal, has no idea”) in 2016 with a shot from his own blue line, initiating Swiss bankruptcy (2:3 nP) , is no longer present. He is now based in Romania in Csikszereda.

The Kazakhs now play without dual nationality. For the first time since 2006. According to media reports, fans had opposed the players from North America, Sweden or Russia who hired local KHL club Barys Astana (since renamed Nur-Sultan), pointing out that dual citizenship was forbidden.

Startschenko has been with us since 2006

Despite the support of players like Darren Dietz, Nigel Dawes, Brandon Bochensky or Dustin Boyd and controversial naturalization practices, the Kazakh national team has always missed the quarter-finals of the World Cup and is now committed to rebuilding. They rely on players born in Astana, Karaganda, Almaty or Ust-Kamengorsk.

Even without dual nationality, trainer Galym Mambetaliev can still count on 12 players from Barys Astana. In addition, Spartak Moscow striker Roman Startschenko (37) is another one who experienced the time before dual nationality. The veteran played his first World Cup in 2006.

The Kazakhs started the new era against Norway (4:3 nP) on Saturday when Startschenko decided the penalty shoot-out with two goals. It then suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Czech Republic the next day.

Source : Blick