Kazakhstan 0 Sweden 1

Kazakhstan 0 Sweden 1

UEFA has threatened Shakhter Karagandy with disciplinary proceedings if they continue to perform the ritual slaughter of animals around games.

Shakhter Karagandy 2 Celtic 0

Celtic have left themselves with it all to do to reach the Champions League after a surprise defeat to Kazakhstan champions Shakhter Karagandy in the first leg of their play-off at the Astana Arena.

Celtic’s culture clash with Champions League play-off opponents Shakhter Karagandy was highlighted further when Neil Lennon was asked about sacrificing sheep ahead of tonight’s night’s first-leg tie in Astana.

Kazakhstan 0 Austria 0

Kazakhstan 0 Austria 0

Giovanni Trapattoni has challenged some of his fringe players to show him they deserve a regular place in the Republic of Ireland starting XI during tomorrow’s friendly against Oman.

Having apologised to the manager and his team-mates for the wildly ill-advised and inflammatory tweet he posted just after Friday’s game in Astana, James McClean was intent on letting only his feet do the talking yesterday, working up a red face of a different kind as the sun beat down on an Irish training session at the home of AFC Wimbledon in London.

Kazakhstan 1 Republic of Ireland 2

FT: Kazakhstan 1 Republic of Ireland 2

Kazakhstan are one up in tonight's World Cup qualifier against Ireland.

Giovanni Trapattoni insists the Republic of Ireland must not underestimate Kazakhstan this evening as they look to consign their Euro 2012 campaign to history with a win over the minnows in Astana.

It will be only five o’clock at home this evening but ten o’clock at night here in Kazakhstan when Ireland kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign in the intimate but impressive surroundings of the Astana Arena.

Robbie Keane admits it took him very little time to decide against following Damien Duff and Shay Given in to international retirement this summer.

Kazakhstan captain Kairat Nurdauletov has warned the Republic of Ireland that his team will settle for nothing less than victory in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Astana.

The new kid on the block, David Meyler, bounces into the Grand Hotel and greets each of the awaiting media with his signature handshake.