Kazakh coach Beranek not setting the bar high

Kazakhstan’s Czech coach Miroslav Beranek has a novel take on World Cup Group C, suggesting that, like some unholy trinity, it’s really three groups in one.

“The first is of course Germany,” he says, “in the second group is Sweden, Ireland and Austria, and the third group is our team and the Faroe Islands. And I want to make the difference between group three and group two not so big.”

Which might not seem like he’s setting the bar too high for his team tonight, but then there’s no escaping the fact Kazakhstan are ranked 145th in the world and finished rock-bottom of their last European Championship qualifying group. So perhaps Beranek is only being realistic when he adds that he would consider a draw against Ireland “a success” for a team which draws its players mainly from the Kazakh league and the ranks of Club Astana whom he also manages.

Nor does the national coach think the challenge is any easier for his side because the visitors happen to be in a period of uneasy transition following those disappointing Euro finals.

“I think this situation is normal for a national team,” says Beranek. “Every country after the World Cup or European Championship needs to refresh its team. And I suppose that you have lots of players besides these players, players who can resolve these difficulties.

“You have lots of players from the English Premier League, from America and Aiden McGeady at Spartak Moscow.

“The Irish team is also very experienced, with players like Robbie Keane and John O’Shea. I saw their last game, against Serbia, and they were a well-organised, disciplined side which pressed well and had some very effective attacks.”

Although Berenak has never pitted his wits against Giovanni Trapattoni before, midfielder Ulan Konysbaev, one of eight Astana players in the current squad, knows a bit about Irish football having played against St Patrick’s Athletic for Shakhter Karagandy in the Europa League last year.

“The game was very difficult,” he remembers with a smile. “In every place on the pitch there was a little battle.”

Meanwhile, towering Kazakhstan skipper Kairat Nurdauletov appears to be a little at odds with his gaffer about what would constitute a successful outing for the home side tonight.

Perhaps mindful that, for all their lowly standing in the rankings, the Kazakhs did succeed in holding Austria scoreless here last year, he reckons it’s time they moved on from honourable defeats and heroic draws to finally claiming a biggish scalp — Ireland’s.

“We would like to win,” he declares. “Only victory. We won’t accept a draw.”