[FM'16] The Impossible Dream. An International Football Experiment.

[neilhoskins77]

In previous attempts at International saves, my efforts, particularly with the age group sides, have been thwarted by players being withdrawn from the squad and no opportunity given to replace them. I have always wondered if there is a way to prevent this happening, and this is my experiment to find out if there is a cure. It involves me taking charge of every facet of a country's National setup. I'll start the game by sacking the managers of any of the age group sides, and taking charge myself. An International football dictatorship if you will. I then set the staff responsibilities so that no one else would interfere with the squad selections in any way at all. So now, if players do disappear from the squad selections, we'll have to assume it's the game that is meddling.

For the purpose of this experiment, I would choose an 'International minnow'. The aim, apart from seeing if this way of playing effectively breaks the loop of players going missing from the squad, is to try and drag a lowly nation kicking and screaming into a position of respectability in the football world. If it goes well, you'll see generations of footballers start at the Under-19 level, and move their way through the age groups of Under-20 and so on, with the best of course possibly fast tracked into the Senior setup. And if all goes really well, you'll also see those players move their nation from also rans, into one of the footballing heavyweights of their Continent, and maybe even make some waves on the World stage.

It is, of course, very possible that some of the several teams I will be overseeing will have matches on the same day in different countries. I'd ask you to either be tolerant of this, or firmly believe that I can time travel. I have no intention of taking a club job right away, and have made myself 'unsackable' from the National job. The posts will include goings on and reports from all the matches the National sides various teams are involved in, alongside general information regarding their quests for glory in various Qualifications Groups, and Tournaments should we get that far. I will also keep you updated with the countries club football, which will be a vital cog in this save of course. Success on a National level will increase the countries clubs chances of success as well, including the possibility that foreign clubs will seek to sign their talented players. That in turn, of course, would benefit the National side.

The save will start in January 2015, with my previous experience set as Sunday League Footballer. Updates on the nations FIFA World Ranking will be included, as will updates on the rank of the nations various domestic League and Cup competitions. This save will also be used to test the reliability of the changes to the database and expansions I'm using. Hopefully, it doesn't come to a messy end like the last few, but should that happen, I apologise in advance. Enjoy. Comments and questions welcome as always.

[mark wilson27]

Looking forward to this Neil, cant beat an International story. 

[neilhoskins77]

21 hours ago, mark wilson27 said:

Looking forward to this Neil, cant beat an International story. 

Cheers Mark. Hopefully this one will be a little bit different with the focus on all the National sides in one nation. Makes it a bit more interesting to play as well.

[neilhoskins77]

January 2015.
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

A country of around 6 million people, this Central Asia nation is landlocked, sharing borders with China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikstan. The country is officially the Kyrgyz Republic, but is known by all as Kyrgyzstan, and will be addressed as such in this save. Formerly a part of the Soviet Union, this nation only came into existence in it's current state in 1991, it's Football Association forming one year later, and granted entry under Asia's football umbrella and FIFA in 1994. They have no history in the game to speak of, unless you count a third placed finish in the 2006 version of the now disbanded Asian Challenge Cup. They start the save ranked joint 156th in the FIFA World Rankings.

The National Stadium is in this capital city of Bishkek, and is the 23,000 capacity Stadion Dolena Omurzakova. The ground opened in 1941, and is also used by the country's most successful club side, Dordoy Bishkek, who have finished in the top two in the League in each of the last eleven seasons, winning nine Titles and adding six Cup triumphs in that time frame. Finishing in the top two in this League is not quite as challenging as it is elsewhere mind you, as the top Division features just six clubs, and the League is played over just ten matches. The winners qualify for the Asian Confederation Cup, while the bottom club are relegated to the second tier, the First League Zone A, which is only slightly larger with nine clubs, two of which are Reserve sides. The third tier Zone B hosts eight more clubs. Burn out and tiredness is not expected to be an issue for these players. Lack of match fitness however, could easily be a problem. There is another place in the continental competition for the winners of the Kyrgyzstani Cup, while the Super Cup is contested at the end of each season, which runs from February to October. The top tier High League is the 61st ranked competition in Asia, with the First League Zone A ranked 95th, and Zone B right behind it in 96th. The nations Cup competition is ranked 75th in the continent, with the Super Cup in 81st place.

The club football in the country is fairly insular. In the top division, there are only eight players who are not natives of Kyrgyzstan. Three of them are Pakistan Internationals at Dordoy. At Alay Osh, there are another three, a Ukrainian and an Uzbeki who have been here less than a year, and another Uzbeki defender who could become a Kyrgyzstani National should he wish to, and would probably play a role in the National side. But he has zero interest in doing that by the look of it. The other capital city club, Alga Bishkek, have an Uzbek striker who will be eligible to become a citizen here in about four months, so we'll see if he is interested. Abdysh-Ata Kant have a young Kazakh striker who is several years away from being available, and is already eyeing a move back to his homeland. There are also a couple of Ghanaian players, one of which is already in the National setup, the other will likely be involved soon. On the other side of the coin, the last Senior squad selected saw a handful of players from outside the country being included. The country's best player is arguably 26 year old midfielder, Anton Zemlianukhin, who plays his club football in Serbia for FK Radnicki Nis. 22 year old left back Valery Kichin plays in Russia for the FC Tyumen club in the second tier. There is also a winger playing in Thailand, a striker playing in Germany's Regional Leagues along with another midfielder who plays for a club at the same level, a keeper who earns a living in the Kazakh Premier League, with another winger one level down there. There is another defender in Lithuania's fourth tier. The most frustrating is a very talented looking forward who is in the system at Dynamo Kiev. As I arrive in the job, he is currently uncapped, but is being granted paperwork to become a citizen of Ukraine. Once that happens, I fear we are going to struggle to get him to play for us. I have no idea why the last manager called him up into the squad, then failed to get him on the park to cap him and tie him to Kyrgyzstan.

By the end of day one in the job, I have sacked the managers of the Under-23 and Under-19 sides, and taken over their roles myself. I did warn you that this would be a dictatorship. Nine new staff members are hired, including new backroom members of the Senior, Under-23, Under-20 and Under-19 sides. Not a single one of them has any International playing experience. We're starting very much from the ground up with this project folks. I have also adjusted the settings so that other staff members will arrange the Friendly fixtures of all sides. I'll only consider altering this if they fail to schedule regular matches. The FA have not yet revealed their expectations, they are going to wait until the next competition is scheduled. They have welcomed me into the role, as they believe this to be the perfect role for someone with no managerial experience. They'll pay me £190 a week, making me higher paid than any current player in the entire nation. I should think so too, I'm managing five teams here! That said, there is nothing scheduled until the back end of March.

[neilhoskins77]

February 2015.

KG United are very much the poor relations of the half dozen clubs in the nations top tier, despite being a capital city club. They are run on a semi-professional basis, and play at the countries Football Centre FFKR, which has a limited capacity. They were without a manager when I arrived, and have now appointed Vladimir Salo, who led Zhivoye Pivo Kant to second and third place finishes in his unsuccessful quest to lead them into the top tier. The season starts in six weeks or so, and he has a real job on his hands to get a competitive team together and keep United in the top tier.

Dynamo Kiev's 20 year old forward Ahletdin Israilov is now a Ukrainian citizen, which is obviously bad news. Or is it? He has claimed that his motives for doing so are to help out his employees with their foreign player limits. If that is the case, there is nothing to worry about. Dordoy Bishkek have started their continental campaign, playing in the West Preliminary Round of the Asian Confederation Cup. They host Sheikh Russell KCD of Bangladesh, and beat them 3-1 to move onto the West Playoff against Salam Zgharta of Lebanon away from home. The winners will move into the Group Stage of the competition. Speaking of Group Stages, the draw for the Qualification Groups of the Under-23's Asian Nations Cup will be made on the 16th of the month. I notify the Kyrgyzstan FA of my intention to lead the team myself, and they give me the go ahead.

Dordoy win on penalties in Lebanon after a 1-1 draw, and move into Group A of the Asian Confederation Cup. They are drawn to face Istiqlol Dushanbe of neighbouring Tajikstan, with Kuwait Sporting Club and Fanja Sports Club of Oman completing the four. That looks a pretty tough group, with the Kuwaiti side, winners of the competition in 2009, 2012 and 2013, in particular looking like they'll be a few levels higher than Dordoy. The top two will qualify for the Knockout Round.

The big day arrives for the Under-23's, and the draw takes place for the Qualification stages of the tournament that will take place next January in Qatar. There will be ten Groups, with six of them containing five nations, and the other four will have four teams each. Only the winners are guarenteed to Qualify and join Qatar, even holders Iraq have to earn their place. The five runner's up with the best records will also go to the party. There doesn't apppear to be any obvious seeding system as the draw gets underway, and we're the first team drawn from the second round. We're placed in Group A, which already contains the current Champions from Iraq. But I have to say that was as bad as it got as far as I'm concerned. Three more nations would join us, Nepal, Palestine and Syria. I firmly believe we have a shot at taking second place, clearly Iraq are the favourites to win the Group. There are some interesting draws elsewhere in the Groups too, with China and Saudi Arabia being drawn together in Group E, while the two Korea's of North and South will square off in Group F.

When the fixtures meeting is held, Nepal win the right to host the Group. I've no idea how that was decided, I'm guessing rock, paper, scissors. They have nominated Kathmandu as the host city for the Group. We'll start off on Saturday 21st March against Iraq, we may as well get the tough one out of the way early I guess. We'll then play our second match on Friday 27th against the hosts Nepal, before returning to the Dasarath Rangasala Stadium where all the matches are to be hosted to play Syria on the Sunday. We'll then finish the Group on Thursday 2nd April against Palestine. It's a tough schedule, but if we can get a strong squad together, we have every chance. The Senior's, Under-20's and Under-19's are all also playing over this period of time, but none of them in competitive matches. There is a case for picking the strongest side available for the Under-23's to try and get the nation into a tournament. The FIFA World Rankings also need to be taken into account though, we have dropped five places down to 161st when the latest rankings are released on February 18th. It looks like March is going to be a very hectic, and also exciting month.

[CFuller]

Hmm... where have I come across Ahletdin Israilov before? 

I'm looking forward to seeing how you do with Kyrgyzstan. It'll be tough, but there's no reason why you can't make them competitive in Asia.

[neilhoskins77]

59 minutes ago, CFuller said:

Hmm... where have I come across Ahletdin Israilov before? 

I'm looking forward to seeing how you do with Kyrgyzstan. It'll be tough, but there's no reason why you can't make them competitive in Asia.

I remembered you'd had one of the Israilov's feature in your save before Chris, but for some reason, I thought it was Karim, not Ahletdin.

There is definitely plenty of potential in some of Kyrgyzstan's players, but it's going to take a lot of work to get them to the level of the traditional Asian football heavyweights.

[CFuller]

6 minutes ago, neilhoskins77 said:

I remembered you'd had one of the Israilov's feature in your save before Chris, but for some reason, I thought it was Karim, not Ahletdin.

There is definitely plenty of potential in some of Kyrgyzstan's players, but it's going to take a lot of work to get them to the level of the traditional Asian football heavyweights.

Yeah, I had Ahletdin for a couple of years when Dagenham were in League Two. There are a few other names in the Kyrgyzstan team that I recognise from my World Championship story, like Anton Zemlianukhin, but I'll admit that I have never come across Karim Izrailov before.

[oche balboa]

Good start

The top league play each other 3 times not twice btw 

[neilhoskins77]

16 hours ago, oche balboa said:

Good start

The top league play each other 3 times not twice btw 

Thanks very much Oche, I know you're fond of the obscure saves.

It's definitely just once home and away, unless there is a 'Later Stage' after the ten matches.

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015.

March begins with the draw for the big one, the Second Round of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. Eight groups, with the winners all making it through to the next stage, to be joined by the four best second placed finishers. If you go by World Rankings, we're the fourth best nation in the Group of five. If you look beyond that, it's not the worst draw in the world, and we could be dark horses. Australia are the top seed that we got, with Jordan the nation drawn from the second pot. Tajikstan were third out, and are ranked slightly above us, but we have a derby to look forward to with our neighbours. The final team in the Group are Bangladesh, ranked ten places below us. We'll play everyone home and away, the fixtures split into dates across June, September, October, November and March of next year. We start with the toughest match, a trip to Australia, backed up with what should be the easiest game, home to Bangladesh. We then travel to Jordan in September, before a home double header in October against Australia and Tajikstan. In November we will travel to Bangladesh, before returning home to play Jordan, and then finish our fixtures on the final day with a match against Tajikstan in Dushanbe. The media in Bishkek believe we have got a tough draw, and despite my own personal thoughts, I go along with that. There is no point heaping pressure on myself by saying that I think we can do well when I haven't even picked a squad yet.

The Senior National squad gets a boost when 30 year old striker, Sergey Chikishev is signed by Azerbaijan Topaz Premyer Liqasi side, Simurq Pesekar Idman Klubu. He has 3 international goals from his six caps to date, and clearly is capable of doing a job for the Senior side. This will be the highest level of club football he has ever played at, and hopefully he features regularly, though he will have very strong competition for a game at that club. There is a 23 year old striker who was selected in the last National squad that is still unattached as we go into March. I'm hoping he gets signed soon, though there is currently a lack of interest. There's a strong case for selecting that player, Kayumjan Sharipov, in the squad for the upcoming Friendlies, if only to put him in the shop window.

On the 15th March, the day after the domestic season gets underway, I'm required to name the squad for the Asian Under-23's Nations Cup Qualifying. Obviously, that doesn't give me much of a form guide at this point. Right now, there are 244 players in the International Pool. That does not necessarily mean there are 244 International quality players of course. Every player eligible for Kyrgyzstan has been added to the pool. There are injuries, and some players struggling for fitness. There are some that are just not good enough for football on the International stage.

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Sunday 15th March.
Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-23's
Asian Under-23's Nations Cup Qualifying, Group A
To Play Iraq U-23's (N) (21/3/15), Nepal U-23's (A) (27/3/15), Syria U-23's (N) (29/3/15) & Palestine U-23's (N) (2/4/15).

Goalkeepers.
Marcel' Islamkulov. 20 yrs old. FK Astana-1964 (KAZ). 6'2. Uncapped.
Sultan Mayrambekov. 20 yrs old. Alay Osh. 6'1. Uncapped.
Ilim Omorov. 19 yrs old. Alga Bishkek. 6'4. Uncapped.

Defenders.
Boris Drozdetskiy. 18 yrs old. Dordoy Bishkek. 5'6. Uncapped.
Turatbek Omurzakov. 21 yrs old. Dordoy Bishkek. 5'10. Uncapped.
Danila Sokirchenko. 19 yrs old. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. 6'4. Uncapped.
Dilmuradjon Tahirjon. 21 yrs old. Aldier Kurshab. 6'0. Uncapped.
Erkinbay Turgunbaev. 21 yrs old. Dordoy Bishkek. 5'9. Uncapped.
Akim Pozilov. 22 yrs old. Aldier Kurshab. 6'1. Uncapped.
Bektur Talgat. 20 yrs old. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 5'10. Uncapped.
Akram Umarov. 21 yrs old. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 5'10. 1 cap/0 goals.

Midfielders.
Raul' Dzhalilov. 20 yrs old. FK Bulat AMT Temirtau (KAZ). 5'10. Uncapped.
Ilgiz Ermekov. 21 yrs old. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 6'0. Uncapped.
Ahletdin Israilov. 20 yrs old. Dynamo Kiev (UKR). 5'7. Uncapped.
Bekmyrza Nazarov. 20 yrs old. Unattached. 6'1. Uncapped.
Ermek Nusubaliev. 21 yrs old. Alga Bishkek. 5'11. Uncapped.
Atay Renat. 19 yrs old. Ysyk-Kil Karakol. 5'9. Uncapped.
Elaman Sarbaev. 21 yrs old. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. 5'9. Uncapped.
Eldiyar Sardarbekov. 19 yrs old. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 5'9. Uncapped.
Janboto Yrysbek. 18 yrs old. Ala-Too Naryn. 6'3. Uncapped.

Forwards.
Bekmyrza Duvanaev. 22 yrs old. Alay Osh. 5'10. Uncapped.
Azamat Moldokeev. 21 yrs old. Ala-Too Naryn. 5'10. Uncapped.
Oleg Popov. 20 yrs old. Ala-Too Naryn. 6'0. Uncapped.

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The media report that the Under-23's squad contains no real surprises. Right now, I'm glad to hear that, as it means I haven't dropped the ball and left out anyone obvious from the squad. The party meet in the team hotel in Kathmandu on Wednesday 18th March, a couple of days before our first match in the 25,000 capacity stadium. The squad will remain together here for the next sixteen days, but seven of the players have been granted permission to arrive late due to club commitments. It's reported that the general feeling amongst the squad is downbeat.

The 18th of each month is fast becoming a day that I dread. A few days before I name my first Senior National Squad for Kyrgyzstan, the latest FIFA World Rankings are released, and we drop another three spots into 164th, which is now the lowest ranking in the history of this country. Granted, I haven't been responsible for it, or even able to do anything about it, but it certainly makes me more determined to get off to a good start in our upcoming Friendly International double header. The highest ranking the nation has ever had was 119th, which was nearly nine years ago now. Finally, we're almost ready to get into the matches, and hopefully we can start to turn the rankings back around. It's time to name the squad.

[neilhoskins77]

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Friday 20th March 2015.
Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Senior National Team.
International Friendly Matches.
To Play Thailand (H - Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek) (27/3/15) & Syria (H - Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek) (31/3/15).

Goalkeepers.
Maxim Agapov. 27 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 5 caps/0 goals.
Kirill Priadkin. 37 yrs old. 6'3. FK Kaisar Kyzykorda (KAZ). 8 caps/0 goals.
Vladislav Volkov. 34 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.

Defenders.
Faruh Abitov. 26 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.
Davron Askarov. 27 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 14 caps/0 goals.
Vadim Kharchenko. 30 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 23 caps/1 goal.
Valery Kichin. 22 yrs old. 5'11. FC Tyumen (RUS). 14 caps/0 goals.
Artem Mulajanov. 27 yrs old. 5'7. Alay Osh. 4 caps/0 goals.
Shuhrat Rahmonov. 26 yrs old. 6'2. Alay Osh. Uncapped.
Kursanbek Sheratov. 25 yrs old. 6'4. Dordoy Bishkek. 4 caps/0 goals.
Daniel Tagoe. 29 yrs old. 6'2. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.

Midfielders.
Tursunali Rustamov. 25 yrs old. 5'10. Alga Bishkek. 4 caps/0 goals.
Edgar Bernhardt. 28 yrs old. 5'9. Prachuap FC (THA). 4 caps/1 goal.
Karim Izrailov. 28 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 3 caps/0 goals.
Viktor Maier. 24 yrs old. 6'0. SV Meppen (GER). 2 caps/0 goals.
Yevgeniy Malinin. 28 yrs old. 5'10. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 1 cap/0 goals.
Baktay Taalaybek. 22 yrs old. 6'5. Alga Bishkek. Uncapped.
Anatolii Vlasichev. 26 yrs old. 6'0. Unattached. 13 caps/0 goals.
Rustamjan Zakirov. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 1 cap/0 goals.
Anton Zemlianukhin. 26 yrs old. 5'9. FK Radnicki Nis (SRB). 13 caps/5 goals.

Forwards.
Mirlan Murzaev. 24 yrs old. 6'0. Dordoy Bishkek. 14 caps/5 goals.
Kayumjan Sharipov. 23 yrs old. 5'10. Unattached. 5 caps/1 goal.
David Tetteh. 29 yrs old. 5'11. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/3 goals.

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The announcement of the Senior squad didn't go down as well as the previous one for the Under-23's. The sports media in Kyrgyzstan were baffled by the recall of 37 year old goalkeeper Kirill Priadkin, asking why I wasn't using Friendlies as a chance to bring in a young keeper. The answer was that Priadkin is still one of the best available to us, and the younger keepers would benefit more from playing with the age group squads where they would have a better chance of playing. Also, I would have been struggling for numbers in the younger squads without doing it this way. They are also unhappy that German based and passport holder Vitalij Lux has been left out, with Mirlan Murzaev preferred. I'm suprised that they are suprised quite honestly. Lux isn't currently getting a game, even for Nurnberg's second side in the German Regional Leagues. Meanwhile, Murzaev has played regularly for Dordoy in the early part of their season, including their Continental matches, and is the nations joint top all time International goalscorer. There are also comments that Shuhrat Rahmonov and Baktay Taalaybek are not up to the standard required for International football, but they are intrigued to see Ghana native and naturalized Kyrgyzstani centre back Daniel Tagoe included. He has a countryman included too, David Tetteh is becoming a popular figure in football in this country, scoring three times in his first seven caps for his adopted country. One change was required to the squad on the evening of the announcement. Yevgeniy Malinin has strained knee ligaments in a training session, and will miss a couple of months of football. Brought in to take his place is the only player called up from second tier FC Kara-Balta. Standing at just 5'3 tall, uncapped Murat Madaliev is a player that would be described as diminutive. A capable centre midfielder, he also provides cover at right wing and attacking midfielder.

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Friday 21st March 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-20's.
International Under-20 Friendly Matches.
To Play Macau (PR China) U-20's (H - Kurshab Stadion, Kurshab) & North Korea U-20's (H - Sport City, Kant).

Goalkeepers.
Ramazan Adigamov. 20 yrs old. 6'0. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.
Arstanbek Manasov. 18 yrs old. 5'9. KG United. Uncapped.
Sergey Skorik. 18 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.

Defenders.
Odiljon Abdurahmanov. 19 yrs old. 6'3. Aldier Kurshab. Uncapped.
Azim Azarov. 18 yrs old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Bekzat Ismanov. 18 yrs old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Orozbek Japarov. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.
Marat Kadinov. 21 yrs old. 6'0. FC Kara-Balta. Uncapped.
Bekjan Kurmanbek. 21 yrs old. 5'10. FC Kara-Balta. Uncapped.
Sanjar Sharsheev. 20 yrs old. 5'10. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Erzat Toktaliev. 20 yrs old. 6'0. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.

Midfielders.
Vladislav Ostroverkhov. 19 yrs old. 5'10. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Chyngyz Idrisov. 19 yrs old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Artur Il'yaev. 18 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Dastan Kylychbekov. 19 yrs old. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Yegor Naydenov. 19 yrs old. 6'0. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Nursultan Paizov. 20 yrs old. 5'7. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Bekjan Sagynbaev. 20 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Dinmuhamed Taalaybekov. 20 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Chingiz Tabyshev. 21 yrs old. 6'2. FC Kara-Balta. Uncapped.
Azamat Usubakanov. 19 yrs old. 5'11. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Uncapped.

Forwards.
Sulayman Samarbek. 20 yrs old. 6'1. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Manas Tunubekov. 19 yrs old. 5'10. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.

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Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-19's.
International Under-19 Friendly Matches.
To Play Sri Lanka U-19's (H - Dordoy Stadion, Bishkek) & Laos U-19's (A - Champasak Stadium, Pakse, Laos).

Goalkeepers.
Georgiy Slavnyi. 17 yrs old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Sarinji Subakojoev. 17 yrs old. 6'5. FK RemStroiZapad Ural'sk (KAZ). Uncapped.

Defenders.
Nursultan Aripov. 20 yrs old. 6'0. Nashe Pivo Kant. Uncapped.
Andrey Zolzhenko. 19 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Adilet Imanbekov. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.
Nurtay Kurmantay. 17 yrs old. 6'1. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Almazbek Malikov. 18 yrs old. 6'4. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Uncapped.
Bakyt Rysbek. 19 yrs old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.
Elhan Temirbaev. 19 yrs old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Mustafa Yusupov. 19 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.

Midfielders.
Temirlan Atabaev. 19 yrs old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Semetey Daniyarov. 18 yrs old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Bahtiyar Duyshobekov. 19 yrs old. 5'7. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Uncapped.
Ramis Eraliev. 20 yrs old. 5'4. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Uncapped.
Manas Karipov. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Uncapped.
Temirlan Kenjebek. 19 yrs old. 5'8. Ysyk-Kol Kant. Uncapped.
Gamzi Nabiev. 18 yrs old. 5'7. Neftchi-Kochkor-Ata. Uncapped.

Forwards.
Nursultan Abdurahmanov. 18 yrs old. 6'0. Ysyk-Kol Kant. Uncapped.
Ergeldi Kuldyshev. 18 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Uncapped.
Roman Levchenko. 18 yrs old. 6'1. Ysyk-Kol Kant. Uncapped.
Almaz Omoraliev. 17 yrs old. 6'1. Alay Osh. Uncapped.
Beris Tynarov. 19 yrs old. 5'10. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.

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Welcome to the next generation of footballers in Kyrgyzstan. I hope we've got here in time to make, at the very least, good domestic players for years to come in this country's League. And you never know, there could be one of this nations stars of tomorrow in those Under-20 or Under-19 squads. We were starting to get a bit thin on players when we were down to the final squad, but we have one for every position I believe. I'm looking forward to seeing these young players represent their nation in International competition soon. I won't be waiting long. A busy International window is now getting underway.

[EvilDave]

I'm hoping to travel to Kyrgyzstan in the autumn, and enjoyed a good few seasons there on FM14 - three years battling relegation with Issyk-Kol and then back-to-back titles with Dordoi. Love the idea behind this and the location you've chosen, so I'll be following attentively!

[neilhoskins77]

8 hours ago, EvilDave said:

I'm hoping to travel to Kyrgyzstan in the autumn, and enjoyed a good few seasons there on FM14 - three years battling relegation with Issyk-Kol and then back-to-back titles with Dordoi. Love the idea behind this and the location you've chosen, so I'll be following attentively!

Good to have you along Evil Dave

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

21 year old defender Akram Umarov tells the media that the players are cautious ahead of the opening Qualification fixture in Kathmandu. He tells them that he knows Iraq possess quality players, and that the tactics will be all important to frustrating the Group favourites, and hopefully something can be earned from the game.

Saturday 21st March 2015. 17:00pm.
Asian Under-23 Nations Cup Qualifier, Group A.
Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kyrgyzstan Under-23's v Iraq Under-23's.
Attendance :- 34. Weather :- 13c.

We were one light on the bench as one of our left backs still hadn't arrived. The other was far from match fit. Star men Ahletdin Israilov and Raul' Dzhalilov would both start, though the latter was unlikely to last the full match as he had also arrived late from Kazakhstan where he had been playing for his club. I go with a wide 4-2-3-1 formation, which needs some work by the players to get familiar with it. The stadium in Kathmandu is virtually deserted for the match sadly.

There were promising early signs, and we certainly have some players who can pass a football around, despite the poor surface. We created the first real chance nearly a quarter of an hour in, and should have gone ahead, Elaman Sarbaev squaring the ball across the edge of the box, but Ermek Nusubuliev didn't do well with the finish, and Mohammed Hameed held it easily. Our problems mostly came when we didn't have the football of course. Our players didn't seem particularly aware of the movement of the Iraq players, and Boris Drozdetskiy in particular at left back was being given a torrid time. Iraq had the ball in the net in the 21st minute, but Ali Qasim was well offside, though the flag took an age to go up from the assistant. We would create another chance on the half hour mark, Ilgiz Ermekov finding the creator of the early chance, Sarbaev, but his shot was well high and wide and we had wasted another chance to earn a lead to try and defend.

We would pay for that wastfulness early in the second half. I'd been forced to remove Drozdetskiy who was dead on his feet, and being given the run around. Danila Sokirchenko would have to move from his regular right back spot across to the left side of the back four. Sultan Mayrambekov had already made one great stop after the restart, turning over an effort from Baggio Yousif. He could do nothing in the 47th minute though when Dhurgham Ismail found plenty of space on the left, and crossed into the centre, where Ali Qasim netted from close range.

I'm afraid the writing was on the wall after that goal. We dared not push up too much, as Iraq looked more than capable on the counter attack. But our lack of attacking ambition was encouragement enough for them too. In the 70th minute, when Humam Tariq played a ball out from their right back spot into midfield, the Iraqis found themselves five on four. They played it perfectly too, Yousif to Qasim, and then a diagonal pass splitting our centre backs, Sherko Kareem drawing Mayrambekov out, and then sliding the ball low past him and just inside the post to double their lead.

It was now a case of choosing our battles, and I chose to take off my two top players and preserve their fitness for a more winable match in six days time. A little bit of reshuffling was required, but we were unfortunate when Sarbaev had his foot stood on when trying to keep possession after a corner, and damaged his heel. He had to leave the match, and with our subs used, we would finish the match with ten men. That meant Iraq pouring forward at every opportunity. In fairness, we defended fairly stoutly, and Mayrembekov made two more good saves, and when he was beaten, Bektur Talgat got back in time to clear off the line. I felt for my players when they were cut open again in the 90th minute, Qasim having time to wait for Kareem to make his run, and then guide the ball into the space in front of him. After drawing Mayrembekov last time, he tried a different tactic this time, and blew an early shot right by him and inside the near post, one the keeper would be disappointed with.

Just one minute later, the football gods of fate smiled down on us, and gave us a reward to show this game is not all cruel. With the Iraq players not really doing a very good job of picking up players at the set piece, Ermek Nusubaliev swung in a free kick from the right touchline with his left foot, the ball inswinging towards the gap between the penalty spot and edge of the six yard box. Akram Umarov was one of those not picked up properly, and he met the ball with a half volley, slamming it beyond Hameed and high into the net. Despite the result, there were some positives to take, and scoring with a set piece would be one of them. I couldn't fault my players efforts against the best team in the Group.

Kyrgyzstan Under-23's (0) 1 - Akram Umarov (90+1)
Iraq Under-23' (0) 3 - Ali Qasim (47), Sherko Kareem (70,90)
Sultan Mayrambekov; Turatbek Omurzakov, Bektur Talgat, Akram Umarov, Boris Drozdetskiy (Danila Sokirchenko 45); Ilgiz Ermekov, Ermek Nusubaliev; Elaman Sarbaev (inj 76), Ahletdin Israilov (Janboto Yrysbek 72), Raul' Dzhalilov (capt - Bekmyrza Nazarov 72); Bekmyrza Duvanaev.
Unused Substitutes :- Marsel' Islamkulov (GK), Erkinbay Turgunbaev, Akim Pozilov, Atay Renat, Eldiyar Sardarbekov, Azamat Moldokeev, Oleg Popov, Ilim Omorov (GK).
Possession :- 47% - 53%. Shots on Target :- 5 - 6. Man of the Match :- Dhurgham Ismail (Iraq U-23's).

We'd had very little time together, and had come up against the current Under-23 Asian Champions first of all. There was no reason for us to be too disheartened with that result. Defensively, we had looked pretty solid up till half time. At the other end of the park, there is some work to be done, but it was good to see a set piece routine work out well and result in a goal, even though it was nothing more than a consolation. Eleman Sarbaev has a damaged heel, which will keep him out for about two weeks, and means that's the end of his participation in this Qualifying section. He is sent home, and is replaced by 22 year old Ala-Too Naryn centre midfielder, Temirlan Keneshov. The uncapped player will arrive in time for the next Qualifier on Friday. In the other match, which was played right after ours, Nepal and Palestine played out a goalless draw. That's not too bad a result for us. Sunday would see Bektur Talgat go down with a cold. The backroom team say four days, and as long as it doesn't develop into full blown flu, they believe he's a maybe for Friday's fixture, but should be fine after that. Meanwhile, back in Bishkek, centre back Shuhrat Rahmonov has picked up food poisoning. The uncapped Alay Bishkek defender is going to be out for around six days, meaning if he is going to win a first cap, it will likely be in the second match against Syria now, rather than the opener of the double header when we entertain Thailand.

On Tuesday, both the Under-20 and Under-19 players reported to their hotels for International duty. Both of the squads would stay together for a week, with the older team playing two home matches, while the younger side would play one match at home, before travelling out to Laos for their second match. The Senior squad arrived to join together the following day ahead of their two home Friendly matches. Once again, the mood in all camps is reported to be downbeat. I'm seeing an early pattern here, and not one I like. Hopefully the lads can gel together quickly and put a couple of wins on the board to help improve morale before the competitive football starts later in the year. The Under-19's will miss Elhan Temirbaev for their first match against Macau (China PR), as the left back has caught a cold while in camp, and will be out for a few days. It was worse for Beris Tynarov, as the striker suffered a back strain in training. He is replaced by Neftchi Kochkor-Ata's nineteen year old striker, Azamat Bektemirov.

The Under-23's Qualification Group continues on Wednesday with another double header at the still virtually empty stadium in Kathmandu. Some of our players went along to watch as Iraq beat our next opponents Nepal, 2-0, with a pair of first half goals. In the later match, Syria make their debut in the Group, but are held to a 0-0 draw by Palestine. That means with two match day's played, we are now the only ones without a point to our name, though along with Syria, we have only played once.

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

Onto Thursday, and the two younger sides will both play today. Before that however, there would be some final preparations to be made for tomorrow's first match in charge of the Senior side, the only matches that count towards my official manager stats in the game. The captaincy needs to be decided. The current incumbent is Dordoy's 30 year old right back Vadim Kharchenko, and there is no doubt about his position in the squad, and actually the side as well. But I have a personal preference to have someone who plays closer to the centre of the park to be Captain where possible, and make the change to his 27 year old club team mate Davron Askarov. The centre back declares himself proud to be named as his nation's new Captain. Early indications are that the football public of Kyrgyzstan are fairly happy with that decision. And yet another Dordoy player is named as Vice Captain, their veteran goalkeeper Vladislav Volkov. Goalkeeper is one of our strongest positions for depth, and later in the day, a couple of young goalkeepers I had high hopes for would get their first chance to impress.

For my debut with the Senior side, the press in the country are expecting me to experiment with either lineup or formations, or maybe even both. Two clubs have requested that their players feature for no longer than 45 minutes in the match against Thailand. It's likely that neither would feature at all for this one, so there's no real problem there. Also tomorrow, the Under-23's are back in action in Nepal, this time against the hosts, in the second of the four matches in the Qualification phase of the Under- 23's Asian Nations Cup. Goalscorer for the opening game defeat against Iraq, centre back Akram Umarov, speaks out once again before the match, and it's of a similar tone as well, as he urges caution for what he suspects will be a difficult game against them. But that was all for tomorrow, right now, it was a chance to have a look at the players of the future.

Thursday 26th March 2015. 19:30pm.
Under-19's International Friendly.
Dordoy Stadion, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's v Sri Lanka Under-19's.
Attendance :- 262. Weather :- 15c.

There was a reasonable expectation to get a result here against, with all due respect, a nation that are not exactly one of the leading football country's in Asia. In front of a healthy crowd in the capital, we didn't get off to a good start, as Dassanayake thumped a shot against the post with just two minutes on the clock after a corner. It took 25 minutes to create our first real chance. Nursultan Abdurahmanov stole the ball from a slow to react defender after a throw, and squared it to Almaz Omoraliev. The Sri Lankan defence converged on the player picked out as our dangerman, and he picked a smart pass to an unmarked Temirlan Atabaev, but he missed the target. That was brief respite for us, as the visitors looked the more likely, and Dassanayake blasted high over the bar after being played clean through. He wouldn't be as wasteful next time around, Dagis crossed with a diagonal effort from deep that ran through our box and Dassanayake was at the far post to slot it home. It had not been our finest half of football, and could have been worse had Sarinji Subakojoev not made a great low stop from the goalscorer shortly before the break.

I made only one change at the break, keen to give the young players a chance to put the situation right. That looked increasingly unlikely however when Sri Lanka increased their advantage just five minutes into the second half. The goal was very similar to the opener, but from the other side of the park, Mohamed Imthad supplying the cross, Rajapaksa netting from close range at the far post. We certainly have some work to do defensively here. It could have got worse just after the hour mark, as the defender who entered the game at the break, Nurtay Kurmantay, tripped Dassanayake as he sprinted into the penalty box. The ref awarded the spot kick, and I was pretty relieved that he only saw fit to book the defender. We have two very capable keepers in the Under 19's, and the reason I went with Subakojoev today was his height. He used all 6'5 of it to good effect here, throwing himself to his left to push away Rajapaksa's attempt to net himself a second of the evening. With the game not going well at all, I decided to use more subs and see if there was any quality amongst the replacements. Roman Levchenko's attempted shot was deflected into the path of Atabaev, who this time managed to hit the target, but Prasanna was equal to it and pushed it past the post. From the following series of corner kicks, Levchenko saw a header bounce back off the angle of upright and cross bar. It was not to be our day at all, and Subakojoev produced another good late stop to keep Dassanayake from adding to our misery. That was a very unsatisfactory performance.

Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (0) 0
Sri Lanka Under-19's (1) 2 - Kuruvita Patabadige Dassanayake (35), Noragal Rajapaska (50)
Sarinji Subakojoev; Nursultan Aripov (Mustafa Yusupov 64), Almazbek Malikov, Bakyt Rysbek (capt - Andrey Dolzhenko 84), Adilet Imanbekov (Nurtay Kurmantay 45); Ramis Eraliev (Gamzi Nabiev 64), Manas Karipov (Bahtiyar Duyshobekov 84); Temirlan Kenjebek, Nursultan Abdurahmanov (Roman Levchenko 64), Temirlan Atabaev; Almaz Omoraliev (Ergeldi Kuldyshev (64).
Unused Substitutes :- Georgiy Slavnyi (GK), Semetey Daniyarov, Azamat Bektemirov.
Possession :- 55% - 45%. Shots on Target :- 3 - 8. Man of the Match :- Mohamed Imthad (Sri Lanka U-19's).

Other than the lions share of the possession, I was struggling to take a lot of positives from that one. The Sri Lankans are one of the minnows of Asian football that we would expect to beat without too many problems at any level. Our keeper put in a good performance, but I wasn't surprised by that, he looks a decent prospect. Right winger, Temirlan Kenjebek did a decent job as well. There wasn't too much past that. Plenty of work to do over the coming months, clearly. Hopefully, the Under-20's would put on a better showing....

Thursday 26th March 2015. 19:30pm.
Under-20's International Friendly.
Kurshab Stadion, Kurshab, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan Under-20's v Macau (China PR) Under-20's.
Attendance :- 131. Weather :- Breezy, 28c.

If Sri Lanka should have been a fairly comfortable match for our Under-19 side, then a match against Macau should not cause too many issues at all for our slightly older players. We've got a decent keeper at this level too, Ramazan Adigamov, and he rose well to collect a corner under pressure after ninety seconds. He was picking it out of the net 45 seconds later however, we were careless with possession, and Hui Chou I sent his pass into the path of Ng Hon Pan. The striker angled his run into the box well, and then slipped his shot between a defender and Adigamov, and low into the bottom corner of the net. They could have got a second when a cross from the left into our penalty box caused panic, and Fong Kam Chun sent a shot goalwards, which was blocked well by Orozbek Japarov. I can say that my players didn't let their heads drop after that early blow, and our best outlet on the attack seemed to be right winger, Dastan Kylychbekov, who seems to have a real turn of pace. His cross was just a little too far ahead of striker Sulayman Samarbek. The winger would have our best chance to equalise in the first half too, ghosting into the box to get on the end of a good passing move, but his shot across goal was inches past the far post.

I went again with the tactic of not making any changes at the break, and hoping the team talk would have an impact. We were very lucky not to fall further behind early after the restart though. Bekzat Ismanov came across and made a great tackle at left back, but got an unfortunate break when the ball bounced back off him and into the path of Sou Cheok Wai. After a one-two with Hui Chou I, he was away and into the open space of the right channel, and his low cross into the six yard box picked out Ng Hon Pan, only a great reflex stop from Adigamov prevented him from scoring a second. When Dinmuhamed Taalaybekov resorted to a long shot at goal, and got it badly wrong, it was clear that the time for changes had come. Macau had arrived with a small squad, so they didn't really have that option. Sadly, the fresh legs didn't really make that much difference, it was just more players trying to learn an umfamiliar system. Another very disappointing result.

Kyrgyzstan Under-20's (0) 0
Macau (China PR) Under-20's (1) 1 - Ng Hon Pan (3)
Ramazan Adigamov; Bekjan Kurmanbek (Marat Kadinov 75), Erzat Toktaliev (capt - Sanjar Sharsheev 80), Orozbek Japarov (Odiljon Abdurahmanov 80), Bekzat Ismanov (Azim Azarov 75); Chyngyz Idrisov (Nursultan Paizov 60), Dinmuhamed Taalaybekov (Artur Il'yaev 60); Dastan Kylychbekov (Vladislav Ostroverkhov 75), Azamat Usubakunov (Yegor Naydenov 75), Bekjan Sagynbaev (Chingiz Tabyshev 60); Sulayman Samarbek (Manas Tunubekov 75).
Unused Substitutes :- Sergey Skorik (GK), Arstanbek Manasov (GK).
Possession :- 53% - 47%. Shots on Target :- 4 - 2. Man of the Match :- Ng Hon Pan (Macau Under-20's).

If anything, that result was even more disappointing than the Under-19's match. There is much work to do, The Qualifiers for the Asian Under-19 Championships will be drawn in a month, and by early October, these youngsters will be playing competitive International football to try and earn their place in the Finals, which will be played in around eighteen months time in Bahrain. I'm glad Thursday is over, it hadn't been a great day.

[oche balboa]

Simply Brilliant stuff

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

I really hope Friday is better than Thursday was for us. Another double header lies in wait, starting with the Under-23 squad playing their second game in the Qualifying Group in Nepal. It was the hosts who would line up against us this time. A win would be vital today to keep us in the hunt for that runner's up spot, and a shot at keeping ourselves in contention for a place in the Finals. In the earlier kick off, Syria had taken a lead against Iraq, only for Ali Qasim to level before the break. Neither side was able to find a winner, and a 1-1 draw does us no harm at all going into our game.

Friday 27th March 2015. 19:00pm.
Asian Under-23 Nations Cup Qualifier, Group A.
Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nepal Under-23's v Kyrgyzstan Under-23's.
Attendance :- 65. Weather :- Drizzle, 8c.

There's a couple of changes made for this second match, starting at left back. Boris Drozdetskiy had a really tough game against Iraq, and while it might not be fair to judge him on the match against the best nation in the Group, our other left back is now with the squad, and Dilmuradjon Tahirjon is called into the starting eleven. In midfield, Ilgiz Ermekov is rested, with Temirlan Keneshov called into his place, and there is one final change, with injured right winger Elaman Sarbaev replaced by Eldiyar Sardarbekov. If Nepal thought hosting the Qualification tournament would bring them an advantage, it was starting to look like they were very wrong. It wasn't just the rain keeping attendances down. Only a few dozen fans showed up for this match, despite the hosts being involved.

The hosts problem was clear very early on, they couldn't keep hold of possession long enough to do any damage. They gave the ball away in a good position in the 19th minute, and we went right back the other way with a counter attack. After going through midfield, the play was played left to Raul' Dzhalilov, and the winger made his way forward before cutting in from his wing. Some great further link play saw the ball played into the feet on Temirlan Keneshov, and he passed it into the box for Eldiyar Sardarbekov. A cool low finish later, and the ball rolled beyond the keepers dive and into the bottom corner, and we were ahead. That was a well worked team goal, but some individual play almost brought a second goal, as Bekmyrza Duvanaev beat two players with a powerful run, before squaring the ball to Ahletdin Israilov, but Prakash Pandey easily stopped his weak shot. Israilov would have the chance to redeem himself when Dilmuradjon Tahirjon picked him out with a superb diagonal cross field pass. The cross from Israilov picked out Ermek Nusubaliev in the middle, and he planted a volley against the cross bar. As it dropped back down into the box, Israilov showed his technique, producing a volley that Pandey got a hand to, but couldn't keep out. With half time moments away, we had a decent lead. And we weren't done yet either. Dzhalilov tricked his way into the box, and Binod Gurung clattered into him. Bekmyrza Duvanaev placed the ball on the spot, and not only sent Pandey the wrong way, but put it right into the top corner as well.

That first half couldn't have gone much better, but the second would not start well at all. After receiving a pass near the edge of the box, Israilov's first touch wasn't great, and the ball moved a little further in front of himself than he would have ideally liked. That plunged him right into a fifty-fifty challenge, and he lost. Badly. He stayed on the ground clutching his lower leg, and the ball was put right out of play for him to get treatment. The shakes of the head from the physio's came quickly, and with just five minutes gone since the restart, Israilov was helped from the park. He was replaced by young forward, Janboto Yrysbek, a young forward selected in the squad primarily for his ability to play in the shadow striker role, but also due to his dominant physical presence. That gave Nepal a bit of confidence, and they tried to push forward, with fairly limited success it has to be said. In the 63rd minute, from a short throw in, we played our way through their defence and caught them once more. Sardarbekov played it from the right wing into the centre and Keneshov linked up with Yrysbek. The newcomer squared the ball to Duvanaev, and he kept his shot low, beating Pandey and increasing our lead to 4-0. With the game easily in the bag, I made my final two changes in the 66th minute, centre back Bektur Talgat and left winger Dzhalilov were brought off, and Akim Pozilov and Ilgiz Ermekov would come on in their place. As we entered the final ten minutes, we got careless. Ermikov could, and should, have crossed the ball from the left wing. Instead, he tried a long pass back down the touchline towards Tahirjon. The left back was closed down by Daimoj Lama though, and he took the ball off the defenders toe and broke down their right. He made it into the box, and then cut the ball back to the edge of the box, and found Prabal Singh. His shot stung the hands of Sultan Mayrambekov, and Ekjan Basnet netted the loose ball. It was a shame to lose that goal, and it was even more of a shame to lose Yrysbek, who hobbled off late in the game, and we had to finish the match with ten men again.

Nepal Under-23's (0) 1 - Ekjan Basnet (81)
Kyrgyzstan Under-23's (3) 4 - Eldiyar Sardarbekov (19), Ahletdin Israilov (45), Bekmyrza Duvanaev (45+2 pen, 63)
Sultan Mayrambekov; Turatbek Omurzakov, Bektur Talgat (Akim Pozilov 66), Akram Umarov, Dilmuradjon Tahirjon; Temirlan Keneshov, Ermek Nusubaliev; Eldiyar Sardarbekov, Ahletdin Israilov (inj - Janboto Yrysbek 50, inj - 87), Raul' Dzhalilov (Ilgiz Ermekov 66); Bekmyrza Duvanaev.
Unused Substitutes :- Danila Sokirchenko, Marsel' Islamkulov (GK), Erkinbay Turgunbaev, Boris Drozdetskiy, Atay Renat, Bekmyrza Nazarov, Azamat Moldokeev, Oleg Popov, Ilim Omorov (GK).
Possession :- 42% - 58%. Shots on Target :- 4 - 5. Man of the Match :- Temirlan Kenishov (Kyrgyzstan Under-23's).

Clearly, that was a huge improvement on the last outing, and a huge boost for football in Kyrgyzstan. We had been much more dominant than the statistics suggested. Temirlan Keneshov had come into the side, and had a superb outing, including setting up the opening goal. There was a price to pay though. Ahletdin Israilov has damaged his achilles tendon, and will return immediately to Ukraine, where Dynamo Kiev are going to organise specialist treatment for the 20 year old. Initial projections are that he will be out for around four months. If correct, he would miss the Senior National squad's opening World Cup Qualifiers, and be back a couple of weeks after the domestic season starts in the Ukraine. The news on Janboto Yrysbek is not so good either. The forward has damaged his foot, and will be out for a month. He will return to Kyrgyzstan to be treated by his club Ala-Too Naryn. He's unlikely to get the specialist treatment that Israilov will receive. Two replacements will be drafted into the squad, hopefully both will be available for Sunday, as we have a short turnaround before out next match in the Group. On the way to join the squad are 20 year Bolot Ernis, a utility forward from third tier club Aldier Kurshab, and also 19 year old Azamat Usubakunov, who played in Kurshab on Thursday for the Under-20's in the defeat to Macau.

Back in Kyrgyzstan, the crowd was arriving at the stadium in Bishkek, and for the first time, I would be on the touchline in charge of the Senior National team. We would play a Friendly against a Thailand squad that are ranked 146th in the FIFA World Rankings coming into the game, and include dangerman, Teerasil Dangda in their side. The 26 year old Muangthong United striker has already netted 31 times in 66 International matches.

Friday 27th March 2015 - 19:30pm.
International Friendly.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Thailand.
Attendance :- 4,404. Weather :- 11c.

There are a pair of debutants in our lineup for this International Friendly in the capital city. Daniel Tagoe is a Ghana born centre back who was signed by Dordoy when it became known that he was eligible for Kyrgyzstan. Also playing in his first International is midfielder Murat Madaliev. He was called into the squad a few hours after the original 23 man squad was named when another player was injured. However, his good early season form has seen him brought right into the starting lineup, as he benefits from Anton Zemlianukhin being pushed further up the park in the role behind the striker.

I'd certainly like to see us fill this vast terraced stadium up more in future months and years. The playing surface is immaculate though, and will suit the passing game that I'm going to try and implement perfectly. There was a quarter of an hour on the clock when we made our first attack of note. Edgar Bernhardt sent over a corner that Natthaphong Samana headed clear. Rustamjan Zakarov picked the ball, and sent it right back to Bernhardt. The winger had a second attempt to cross, and this time sent it towards the far post, picking out the head of the smallest player on the park. Murat Madaliev might not have much height to him, but he created plenty of power on his header from ten yards out, and he sent it between keeper Chanin Sae-ie, and a defender on the post. There was no stopping that effort, and he had a goal to celebrate just fifteen minutes into his International debut. We were almost pegged back within moments, a quick pass down the right channel sent Anthony Ampaipitakwong into the box, and his shot beat Vladislav Volkov, but not the upright, and it bounced right back into the grateful waiting arms of our keeper. The same player was on the end of a cross from Tana Chanabut, but fired wide of the near post.

There was plenty of encouragement in the half time talk after that decent first half performance, and I told the players to keep up their work rate and we could come out of this one with a confidence boosting win. Edgar Bernhardt had been impressive in the first half, getting plenty of crosses into the box. He didn't get a chance to do that early in the second half, Anton Zemlianukhin clipped a free kick into the right channel of the box, and Bernhardt brought the ball down and Samana tripped him. Zemlianukhin took the spot kick himself, casually waiting for the keeper to make his move, and then rolling the ball right down the middle. It's his sixth goal for his country, making him now the all time leading scorer for Kyrgyzstan. I started the process of making some changes, with a striker switch first, and I would give free agent Kayumjan Sharipov some time on the park to try and get him in the shop window to find a club. But Thailand were not lying down, and they pulled a goal back in the 55th minute. Ampaipitakwong took the ball from a short throw on the right, and curled a cross into the far post, where Sanrawat Dechmitr sneaked in behind our defence and netted from close range. They nearly got the equaliser moments later, the creator last time around almost becoming the scorer this time, as Ampaipitakwong took the ball on the edge of the box and fizzed a low shot that bounced back off the upright. We were starting to get penned into our own third of the park, and Tana Chanabut fired home from the edge of the six yard box with 64 minutes on the clock, but his celebrations were cut short by the assistant's offside flag. I made three more changes right after that to try and get my side back in the game, and another free agent player came on in the form of Anatolii Vlasichev. The final two changes were made in the 76th minute, and a third debutant would enter the match, this time it was Baktay Taalaybek. Still Thailand would pour forward though, Theeratorn Boonmatan swept in another curling cross from the left wing, Teeratep Wiinothai connected with this one, Vladislav Volkov turned it away with a strong hand. We'd had to hold on a little bit, but we had got the job done.

Kyrgyzstan (1) 2 - Murat Madaliev (16), Anton Zemlianukhin (49 pen)
Thailand (0) 1 - Sanrawat Dechmitr (55)
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Davron Askarov (capt), Daniel Tagoe (Kursanbek Sheratov 65), Valery Kichin (Artem Mulajanov 76); Rustamjan Zakirov (Anatolii Vlasichev 65), Murat Madaliev; Edgar Bernhardt (Viktor Maier 65), Anton Zemlianukhin (Baktay Taalaybek 76), Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh (Kayumjan Sharipov 50).
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Tursunali Rustamov, Mirlan Murzaev, Kirill Priadkin (GK).
Possession :- 59% - 41%. Shots on Target :- 9 - 5. Man of the Match :- Edgar Bernhardt (Kyrgyzstan).

It's safe to say that Friday had been a much better day than Thursday. We didn't quite dominate that match in the way the stats would suggest. For large parts of the second half, Thailand were the better side, and we might consider ourselves a little fortunate to have held on for that win. Edgar Bernhardt had a superb game on the right wing, claiming assists on both of our goals. He has not long signed for a club in Thailand. He may find himself a bit more tightly marked when he gets into domestic action for Prachuap FC in the Thai First Division after that performance. Left back Artem Mulajanov tells the press that the dressing room was very upbeat after winning a match against a nation widely considered as a better side than them. The football writers agree, with World Soccer stating that if the side can get another win against Syria on Tuesday, they will have great self belief going into the World Cup Qualifiers in June. The mood of the squad is now considered buoyant. I was in a pretty good mood myself. I had Saturday off!

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

With his sixth goal for Kyrgyzstan, our midfielder Anton Zemlianukhin is now the all time leading goalscorer in International football for the National Team. He had held the record jointly with Mirlan Murzaev, who was on the bench and didn't get a game against Thailand, but is likely to get some match time against Syria in our next match. That head to head could be an interesting side show over the coming months and years. They are a similar age, have the same number of caps, and are both likely to be involved for quite some time. If there is a possible edge, I'd have to give it to Zemlianukhin. He is one of the first names on the team sheet, and is a set piece taker. Murzaev has stiff competition to play in the side.

Three players made their International debut's in that match, with Baktay Taalaybek putting on record how thankful he is to achieve one of his ambitions of playing International football. At 29 years of age, Daniel Tagoe may have thought the chance to play on the International stage had passed him by, but the Ghana born centre half put in a good performance, and may well be a key addition to our National Pool. As for Murat Madaliev, it doesn't get much better than scoring on your International debut, and the Kara-Balta midfielder is now attracting interest from top tier side Alga Bishkek.

There are a lot of second and third tier sides playing their matches in Kyrgyzstan's domestic calendar this weekend with players missing due to the International Window. Quite a few clubs are down to the bare bones in their squad, and they'll hope they won't have to play too many games over the course of the season when International Window's deprive them of their best players. Meanwhile, Akram Umarov once again speaks out before the Under-23's third match, and this time he uses his words to heap the pressure on the opponents from Syria. He tells the media that despite the win over Nepal, there is no pressue on Kyrgyzstan's players, and Syria are expected to win the match. They have only one point from their two matches so far, and anything other than a win is going to eliminate them from contention. Maybe Umarov is looking to go into sports psychology when his playing career is done. Under-20's striker Manas Tunubekov should maybe try and get some tips from him. On Sunday morning he answers some press questions ahead of Monday's match with North Korea. He suggests that North Korea have some very dangerous players, and that the tactics would need to be perfect for Kyrgyzstan to get anything out of the match.

Sunday 29th March 2015 - 17:00pm.
Asian Under-23 Nations Cup Qualifier, Group A.
Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kyrgyzstan Under-23's v Syria Under-23's.
Attendance :- 22. Weather :- 14c.

With just 48 hours elapsed since the win over Nepal, team selection would be key for this match. Changes would need to be made, not so many that we ruined our own hopes of another win to put us into contention ourselves, but enough that the team had good energy levels for this match right in front of us. Danila Sokirchenko would come in at right back to replace Turatbek Omurzakov. The two centre midfielders were both changed, with Temirlan Keneshov and Ermek Nusubaliev both rotated out of the side, with Atay Renat and Bekmyrza Nazarov brought in. Ahletdin Israilov's place went to the just arrived into the squad teenager, Azamat Usubakunov, while Azamat Moldokeev would play up front, Bekmyrza Duvanaev dropping out of the lineup despite a brace of goals last time out.

It was a tense and tight first quarter of the match, before Syria created a chance in the 27th minute. Mutaz Ibrahim won a race against Akram Umarov, and knocked the ball by him into the path of Osama Al-Kaddour. The striker strode down the middle and into the box, but Sultan Mayrambekov stood up well and pushed his fiercely hit shot away. From the corner, a goalmouth scramble ensued, that ended with Abdulfatah Abaza scuffing his shot wide of the target while trying to avoid the crowd of players in front of him. The only other minute of note in the first half was the 38th minute, where Atay Renat and Bektur Talgat both picked up yellow cards within around 45 seconds of each other.

We had acquitted ourselves pretty well in that first half, particularly in defence, and I urged my players to keep up their work rate in the second half, and told them that the game was there for the winning. It looked like the substitutes could be vital, and it would be interesting to see who blinked first. As it happened, both sides made their first change at the same time, with Syria making a change up front, while I changed the right winger, with Eldiyar Sardarbekov replaced by Bolot Ernis, who had joined up with the squad yesterday. Syria made two more changes in the 68th minute, one on the wing, and the other at full back. Within five minutes, that full back, Afran Kandil, would have a new opponent to face. In the 72nd minute, the leg weary Raul' Dzhalilov was substituted, with Ermek Nusubaliev coming on to replace him.

Those two changes would actually provide the pivitol moment of the match in the 79th minute. Danila Sokirchenko sent a long diagonal pass from right back that Adnan Jarjour attempted to cushion down to the recently introduced right back, Kandil. The seventeen year old hadn't anticipated it, and Nusubaliev beat him to it and scampered into the box. Kandil's pace got him back goal side of our winger, but Nusubaliev cut back inside him, and then set a shot that was set outside the far post, but curled back in to find the far corner of the net and put us ahead. It was a superb piece of individual skill from the sub, and he celebrated with his team mates in a manner that showed they all know the importance of that goal. I made my final change with just five minutes left, partly to take some time off the clock, and partly to get left back Dilmuradjon Tahirjon off the park as he started to flag badly. Boris Drozdetskiy would replace him for the final few moments, and Syria managed to create nothing, even with the anxious left back on the park. We had now given ourselves a real shot at Qualification with just one game to go.

Kyrgyzstan Under-23's (0) 1 - Ermek Nusubaliev (79)
Syria Under-23's (0) 0
Sultan Mayrambekov; Danila Sokirchenko, Bektur Talgat, Akram Umarov, Dilmuradjon Tahirjon (Boris Drozdetskiy 85); Atay Renat, Bekmyrza Nazarov; Eldiyar Sardarbekov (Bolot Ernis 61), Azamat Usubakunov, Raul' Dzhalilov (Ermek Nusubaliev 72); Azamat Moldokeev.
Unused Substitutes :- Turatbek Omurzakov, Marsel' Islamkulov (GK), Erkinbay Turgunbaev, Akim Pozilov, Temirlan Keneshov, Ilgiz Ermekov, Bekmyrza Duvanaev, Oleg Popov, Ilim Omorov (GK).
Possession :- 50% - 50%. Shot on Target :- 2 - 2. Man of the Match :- Ermek Nusubaliev (Kyrgyzstan Under-23's).

That was the early game on the penultimate match day in this Qualification Group. In the later game, a pair of goals from Ali Qasim either side of half time gave Iraq the advantage, though Palestine did manage to pull one back late on. That win means Iraq have now won the Group, amassing ten points from their four games. Our win puts us in second place with six points, and we will definitely be runners up in the Group. With a final game to come against Palestine on Thursday evening, it was looking very likely that a win in that match would be enough to earn us a place in the draw for Finals that would take place in Qatar next January.

Meanwhile, my backroom team for the Senior side have brought to my attention 29 year old left back Emil Kenjisariev. He retired from International football at the age of just nineteen on New Year's Day of 2007 after earning just three caps, and scoring one goal for his country. By that time, he was already playing regular First Team football in Kazakhstan's Premier League for FK Astana-64. He moved on to FK Aktobe, where he won four Premier League winners medals amongst other honours. He is now without a club though, and is being looked at by Dordoy Bishkek for a potential return to Kyrgyzstan. I got in touch with him, and after introducing myself, asked he would be interested in making himself available to be selected again. He told me he would think about it. For us, it would be great to have him available, as we strive to give ourselves more overall squad depth as we approach the World Cup Qualifiers in a couple of months.

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

Monday, and before the two younger sides play, the media attention turns to tomorrow's Senior match against Syria in Bishkek. The national sports publication says that the players can play without pressure when they take on the visitors, who come into the match nearly 40 places higher up the World Rankings. However, they go on to say that the result against Thailand has the fans excited that they may be able to get a result from the match. The article finishes with the suggestion that Syria's fortunes will depend largely on the play of Omar Al-Soma, the striker who plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, and marked his International debut against Tajikstan in Aleppo last week with a two goal haul. Newly capped Baktay Taalaybek attended the media call, and told the press that after last weeks success, there would be no need for Kyrgyzstan to feel intimidated by Syria, or anyone else for that matter, and that there was a new found belief in the dressing room that anything is possible.

Monday 30th March 2015 - 19:30pm.
Under-20's International Friendly.
Sport-City, Kant, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan Under-20's v North Korea Under-20's.
Attendance :- 119. Weather :- 10c.

There are three changes made from the defeat against Macau (China PR) Under-20's last time out. Azim Azarov comes into the lineup to replace Bezkat Ismanov at left back, and Azarov also takes the Captain's armband. Also on the left side, but further up the park, Bekjan Sagynbaev is replaced by Chingiz Tabyshev. The final change is also at the sharp end of the park, with Azamat Usubakunov, who was called up into the Under-23's squad in Nepal, is replaced in the lineup by Yegor Naydenov. I'm absolutely ignoring the fact that we're playing a much stronger nation that Macau this time out, and I am expecting a much better performance from the players this evening.

Just like in yesterday's Under-23 match, this game took a little while to get going. North Korea had plenty of the ball, but my players kept their shape well, tackled with heart, and took care of the ball fairly well. Still, it was the visitors who carved out the first chance in the 26th minute. Kang Te-Se delivered a free kick from the right touchline towards the edge of the box, and Orozbek Japarov lost his battle with Ri Ki-Ryong. He fired at goal, and Ramazan Adigamov, stood on the six yard box line, pushed the ball away. He didn't get it to safety though, and Ri Yong-Chol looked very much the favourite to net the loose ball. He had reckoned without Adigamov though, the keeper doing superbly to get back on his goal line first, and then fling himself across the park to save the second effort as well. A top drawer piece of goalkeeping.

We made it to half time unscathed, though we hadn't really managed to trouble North Korea as yet. I made two changes at the break, changing both of my centre midfielders. We didn't start the second half well, with right back Bekjan Kurmanbek picking up a booking within a minute after commiting a foul out near the corner flag. Ri Yong-Chol sent across the free kick, Ahn Song-Ho connected with a half volley, Kurmanbek made ammends for the foul by kicking the ball off the line at the near post. North Korea kept creating the chances, and Jo Sung-Il's cross on the hour from the left picked out Ri Ki-Ryong, but his half volley was pushed away by Adigamov, though it looked like it was going wide anyway. Cha Sung-Joo headed the corner over the cross bar. The next corner would come a few minutes later, but this time it was ours. Chingiz Tabyshev sent it into the centre, but outside the box in a training ground move. Nursultan Paizov couldn't get his shot off though, and sent it back to Tabyshev. His cross into the box ricocheted off Japarov, and fell into the path of Dastan Kylychbekov. The winger let fly with his shot, which took a deflection and looped over the stranded Sin Sang-Chol, handing us a very unlikely lead.

North Korea came right back on the offensive, Ri Hyok-Chol centred the ball, Jang Yong-Su produced a wonderful touch to bring the ball down and get inside Kurmanbek all in one fluid movement, but Adigamov saved the shot with his legs. I made four more changes, hoping some fresh legs on the park would help us preserve our slim advantage. It wasn't having the desired impact though, Yun Jong-Ho passing the ball through our defence, Kang Te-Se beating Adigamov with his first time shot, but it went past the outside of the post. I made another pair of changes in our back four with 12 minutes remaining. But we couldn't prevent the inevitable, and in the 80th minute, Sung Sok-Jin sent a pass to Kang Te-Se, and he didn't miss the target with a second chance, firing a rising shot high into the net with plenty of power. Adigamov didn't stand a chance with that one. I made one last change, hoping we could at least hold on for what would be a very respectable draw. In fact, we had a chance to win it late on, but Manas Tunubekov couldn't keep his composure in front of goal, and the opportunity went.

Kyrgyzstan Under-20's (0) 1 - Dastan Kylychbekov (63)
North Korea Under-20's (0) 1 - Kang Te-Se (80)
Ramazan Adigamov; Bekjan Kurmanbek (Marat Kadinov 78), Erzat Toktaliev (Sanjar Sharsheev 78), Orozbek Japarov (Odijon Abdurahmanov 85), Azim Azarov (capt - Bezkat Ismanov 69); Chyngyz Idrisov (Nursultan Paizov 45), Dinmuhamed Taalaybekov (Artur Il'yaev 45); Dastan Kylychbekov (Vladislav Ostroverkhov 69), Yegor Naydenov, Chingiz Tabyshev (Bekjan Sagynbaev 69); Sulayman Samarbek (Manas Tunubekov 69).
Unused Substitutes :- Sergey Skorik (GK), Arstanbek Manasov (GK).
Possession :- 50% - 50%. Shots on Target :- 1 - 7. Man of the Match :- Ri Yong-Chol (North Korea Under-20's).

There are over 50 places in the World Rankings between Macau (China PR) and North Korea, which I realise doesn't necessarily represent the strength of a nation's Under-20 side, but I'm really happy with both the performance and the result from that one. We scored with the one shot that we got on target, and were solid at the back, especially in goal, with Ramazan Adigamov very unlucky not to get the man of the match I think. After the disappointment of a few days ago, I feel much better about the future for this nation after that performance. Hopefully, the Under-19's can produce when they take on Laos, a nation ranked in between ourselves and Macau, who beat our youngsters in their last outing.

Monday 30th March 2015 - 19:30pm.
Under-19's International Friendly.
Champasak Stadium, Paske, Laos.
Laos Under-19's v Kyrgyzstan Under-19's.
Attendance :- 134. Weather :- Breezy, 30c.

After the fairly dismal performance last time out against Macau, I make changes for this match. Georgiy Slavnyi gets his chance to impress in goal, replacing Sarinji Subakojoev, who did well last time out despite the defeat. There are two more changes in defence, with Mustafa Yusupov coming in at centre back to replace Almazbek Malikov, while at left back, Elhan Temirbaev replaces Adilet Imanbekov. There are two more changes further up the park, with Azamat Bektermirov coming into the shadow striker role in place of Nursultan Abdurahmanov. In the final change, Roman Levchenko will start the match up front, replacing Almaz Omoraliev.

We made a promising start, cutting out Laos' attempt to get forward, and Azamat Bektemeriov raced up the park, before playing the ball down the left channel to Roman Levchenko. With no support, the forward had no choice but to go alone, and angled his run into the box, before jinking inside his marker and letting fly, his shot bouncing off the top of the cross bar and over. In the ninth minute, we produced a similar move, this time Manas Karipov had the ball in midfield, and lifted it over the defence. Levchenko gave chase, and his strength and pace got him there ahead of the defender, and as the ball bounced up off the hard surface, he caught it sweetly, his shot finding the net right under the cross bar. Already, we looked in better shape than we had last time out. But it wouldn't last, and two minutes later the game was all square, Sakhone Syhalath outpacing our defence, and cutting the ball back from the byline to Sakhone Soutthyvongnorad, who took the pass in his stride, and fored across goal, his shot going in after hitting the inside of the post. The game went through a messy spell, with both teams squandering possession frequently. One such occassion led to Temirlan Kenjebek having the freedom of the right wing, and he picked out Temirlan Atabaev with his cross to the far post, but the left winger only hit the side netting. That miss would prove to be costly, as the next time we gave the ball away we were caught out. Syhalath started the move by flicking the ball out to the left wing, and Sinnakhone Ounaphom got past Nursultan Aripov far too easily. He sent a low cross into the middle, and Syhalath was on hand to guide the ball into the far corner with ease. On the sideline, I was watching the confidence visibly drain from my players, and Laos could, or should, have netted again before half time, full back Vathsana Moonthavong was given all kinds of time to decide what he wanted to do with the ball, and he drifted a cross in for Soutthyvongnorad, but his shot at goal drifted just high and wide of the goal frame.

I read the players the riot act at the break, and made two changes, replacing left back Elhan Temirbaev with Nurtay Kurmantay, and also bringing off Manas Karipov. The centre midfielder was probably our best player with the ball in the first half, but without it, he looked lost, failing to pick up players or make tackles. Semetey Daniyarov came on to replace him. But we were still giving the ball away too much, and nearly cost ourselves another goal just moments after the restart, a careless header meant the ball went to Syhalath, and he played in an unmarked Phetsamone Keolammone, but he fired wide of the target from fifteen yards out. A minute later, Syhalath blasted wide himself when allowed to go clean in on Georgiy Slavnyi's goal. Another goal was looking inevitable, and came on the hour. Syhalath couldn't find a route to goal himself, but laid the ball back into the path of Soukaphone Phommachan. He squared it quicky to Keolammone, who unleashed a twenty yard shot that swerved and dipped and beat Slavnyi all ends up on it's way into the top corner. I persevered with the same group of players for a while longer, hoping to get some kind of reaction from them at least. But they were treading water by now, and with fifteen minutes remaining, I made a treble change. Ramis Eraliev had a penalty shout turned down ten minutes from time, but even then we nearly got caught on the counter. With five minutes left, I rotated out the remaining outfield players, but the replacements looked to have very little interest. The confidence of this group of young players is very brittle, and I need them to toughen up in a hurry.

Laos Under-19's (2) 3 - Sakhone Soutthyvongnorad (11), Sakhone Syhalath (41), Phetsamone Keolammone (61)
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (1) 1 - Roman Levchenko (9)
Georgiy Slavnyi; Nursultan Aripov (Almazbek Malikov 75), Mustafa Yusupov (capt - Andrey Dolzhenko 75), Bakyt Rysbek (Adilet Imanbekov 85), Elhan Temirbaev (Nurtay Kumantay 45); Ramis Eraliev (Gamzi Nabiev 85), Manas Karipov (Semetey Daniyarov 45); Temirlan Kenjebek (Bahtiyar Duyshobekov 85), Azamat Bektemirov (Nursultan Abduhrahmonov 75), Temirlan Atabaev (Ergeldi Kulyshev 85); Roman Levchenko (Almaz Omoraliev 85). Unused Substitutes :- Sarinji Subakojoev (GK).
Possession :- 42% - 58%. Shots on Target :- 5 - 3. Man of the Match :- Sakhone Soutthyvongnorad (Laos Under-19's).

To be beaten that badly with over 15% advantage in possession doesn't sit well with me. And let's get this right as well, if it hadn't been for Laos' poor finishing, we could well have been on the end of a drubbing in that game. This age group is going to cause me the biggest issues, that is clear. In fact, they might send my hair grey overnight. The problem is, they are the ones who are going to be playing competitive football later in the year. The draw for that is made in less than a month now. Unless either we sharpen ourselves up in a hurry, or the draw is ridiculously kind to us, or maybe even both, there is a chance we could be looking at real embarrassment in October. Both the Under-20's and Under-19's camps disband, and the players return to their clubs. The Under-20's are reported to be in reasonable spirits following their draw with North Korea. Meanwhile, the Under-19's are said to be downbeat, and the mood in the camp needs some repairing. I can only hope that some of those players start to do the job for their clubs, and return in better form and mood next time we meet.

[neilhoskins77]

March 2015 (cont).

After Monday's mixed day, it was straight into Tuesday, which presented another opportunity for the Senior National Team to set down a marker ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers starting in just a couple of short months. Syria are ranked 126th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, so while they are not a million miles ahead of us, a result today would certainly be classed as progress. These are the kind of nations that I would like to see us surpassing during my tenure, and doing so with some style as well. Syria will include one new cap in their lineup today.

Tuesday 31st March 2015 - 19:30pm.
International Friendly.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Syria.
Attendance :- 3,940. Weather :- Wet, 19c.

I went for just two changes in the starting lineup, electing to reward the players who played well against Thailand. The first change would come in goal, where Dordoy stopper Maxim Agapov would get a chance to impress, and comes into the team to replace Vladislav Volkov. The other change would be up front, where Mirlan Murzaev would get a chance to try and claim back at least his share of the goalscoring record, as he replaces David Tetteh. We have one potential new cap sitting on the bench, centre back Shuhrat Rahmonov will be hoping to claim his debut for his country at some point in this match.

Murat Madaliev played well a few days ago, but he didn't have a good start in this one, trying to do too much in the 7th minute, and losing the ball. Khaled Al-Saleh and Abdulfatah Al-Agha combined to send Sanharib Malki into space on their right, and his cross to the far post was headed against the cross bar by Mahmoud Al-Maowas. That would be the play that set the tone for the first half, as Syria would cut us open on numerous occassions. Belgian based right back Ahmad Kalasi curled in a free kick, and Abdulkader Dakka had most of the goal to aim at, but thumped his shot against an advertising hoarding instead. The best chance our visitors created would come in the 38th minute, as Al-Maowas was sent down the left with plenty of free space to run into. He went all the way to the byline, before cutting it back, and Al-Agha should have provided the finish. He didn't though, thanks to Daniel Tagoe, who threw himself at the ball, and it deflected wide off the defender. For our part, it took us 42 minutes to create a chance of any real note, and we should have been in front from it. Edgar Bernhardt sent Anton Zemlianukhin clear down the right, but instead of sending the ball into the centre, the playmaker went for goal himself, and found only the side netting.

That missed chance could be a real game changer, and I hoped we wouldn't pay for it. I was hoping the same thing ten minutes after the restart, when we created an even better chance, Karim Izrailov benefiting from a lucky riccochet from an opponents heel, and sending the ball to Madaliev in the centre. He clipped it into the box, where Rustamjan Zakirov found himself in the unusual position of furthest man forward. His low and well aimed shot was a good one, but Adel Muaaned Muhammed's save was better, and he got just enough on it to turn it around the post. Syria would come back at us, and they should have gone ahead when Malki played a perfect ball through to Al-Agha. The forward even got Maxim Agapov to commit and go down on the turf, but when he tried to lift the ball deftly over him, he managed to clear the cross bar as well. I made a trio of changes, with both centre midfielders replaced, and also Bernhardt came off. Ten minutes after our let off, came another good chance to take a step towards victory. Zemlianukhin drifted in a free kick from the right, and recently brought on Baktay Taalaybek connected with a header, but it didn't have enough power to beat Muhammed. The last chance of any real note would come midway through the second half, as Malki lost his composure when put through with a long ball. With three defenders converging on him, he screwed his shot across the face of the goal and badly wide. Three more changes were made in the 74th minute, including a debut for Shuhrat Rahmonov, but this one would end in stalemate. All things considered, it's not too bad a result for us at all.

Kyrgyzstan (0) 0
Syria (0) 0
Maxim Agapov; Vadim Kharchenko, Davron Askarov (capt), Daniel Tagoe (Shuhrat Rahmonov 74), Valery Kichin (Artem Mulajanov 74); Rustamjan Zakirov (Anatolii Vlasichev 59), Murat Madaliev (Baktay Taalaybek 59); Edgar Bernhardt (Viktor Maier 59), Anton Zemlianukhin (Tursunali Rustamov 74), Karim Izrailov; Mirlan Murzaev.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Vladislav Volkov (GK), Kursanbek Sheratov, David Tetteh, Kayumjan Sharipov, Kirill Priadkin (GK).
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Shots on Target :- 3 - 5. Man of the Match :- Ahmad Kalasi (Syria).

I was happy. We had shown we were reasonably sturdy in defence, though at times it looked like we were going to get over run. Syria should have won the game, they created the much better chances, though failed to hit the target with many of them. Part of that was credited to 30 year old Dordoy right back Vadim Kharchenko. After winning his 25th cap, he spoke to the media, telling them that result had put the squads in high spirits, and they were now looking forward to their future fixtures with optimism. He added it was very pleasing to get something out a game they had been expected to lose quite comfortably. That match saw Kharchenko win his 25th cap for Kyrgyzstan. He is now just half a dozen away from equalling Vyacheslav Amin's all time National record of 31 caps. The Senior squad return to their clubs, are in buoyant mood, and eagerly anticipating their next challenge, which comes in early June, with a double header of World Cup Qualifiers, starting away to Australia, before returning to Bishkek to face Bangladesh.

[neilhoskins77]

April 2015.

We head into April, and this will be a reasonably quiet month. Tomorrow will see the final match of this International Window, with the Under-23's playing their final, crucial match of their Qualifying Group in Kathmandu. At the end of the month, the Under-19's will find out who they are going to face, and where they will be going, when they play their Qualifying Group for the Asian Under-19 Championships. At this point, I think we'll need the kindest of draws to be competitive in that one, as our youngest age group side have been well below average in both of their matches so far.

Amateur sport psychologist and defender for our Under-23 side, Akram Umarov, tells the Palestine squad through the media that the pressure is all on them before the final match of the Under-23 Asian Nations Cup Qualifiers. He told them that they were the ones under pressure for this match, while he and his team mates could relax to a degree, knowing they were already confirmed as second in the Group and having already exceeded expectations during the Qualifying tournament. Meanwhile, 26 year old centre back Shuhrat Rahmanov has returned to Alay Osh, and given an emotional interview to the local media, telling them of his pride at being the latest player to make his International debut for his country.

Thursday 2nd April 2015 - 19:00pm.
Asian Under-23 Cup Qualifiers, Group A.
Dasarath Rangasala Stadium, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Palestine Under-23's v Kyrgyzstan Under-23's.
Attendance :- 37. Weather :- 9c.

This is a really big game for us. Despite overachieving so far, as mentioned by Akram Umarov in the press, a win here today would almost certainly see us take a place in the Finals. A draw is unlikely to be enough. Umarov is part of a back four that shows two changes from last time out, with Dilmuradjon Tahirjon replaced by Turatbek Omurzakov at left back, and Bektur Talgat going onto the bench, with Akim Pozilov taking his place in the starting eleven. Temirlan Keneshov is back in the midfield, replacing Bekmyrza Nazarov. On the left wing, Raul' Dzhalilov just doesn't have the legs to start another match today, suffering after his late arrival to join the squad. He is replaced by Ilgiz Ermekov, while up front, there is a return to the side for Bekmyrza Duvanaev, who replaces Azamat Moldokeev.

On a fourth day of back to back matches on this pitch, the surface is now starting to suffer, which doesn't bode well for those hoping to pass the ball around. It didn't prevent Maher Abu-Labban sending a short pass into the path of Issam Bushnak midway through the half however. The striker didn't get the contact he would have liked, and Sultan Mayrambekov managed to fight the shot off. A tight first half was contested primarily in the midfield area, and neither side created anymore than that. At half time, I would make a change, Azamat Usubakunov coming off, and Raul' Dzhalilov coming on to replace him, with Ilgiz Ermekov moving from the left where he had started the game, and going into the shadow striker role.

Just over ten minutes into the second half, Atay Renat lost an aerial dual, and the ball was sent out to the left for the overlapping full bakc, Amjad Azam. His cross fell perfectly into the stride of Abu-Laban, and he didn't miss, sending his half volleyed shot low inside the near post and putting Palestine ahead. He was substituted almost immediately after the goal, telling you everything you need to know about their mindset for the day. With no chance of progressing or even moving ahead of us, they were here for the win, and were going to defend this lead now.

We won a corner quickly, and Raul' Dzhalilov drifted into the box, but it was headed back out. He did well to get back onside though, and an angled and lofted pass picked him out on the corner of the box. With two team mates unmarked in the centre, and screaming for a cross, Dzhalilov made the wrong decision, going for goal himself, and watching as his shot smacked back off the cross bar. During the melee that followed, both Dzhalilov and Eldiyar Sardarbekov went down under tackles, but the ref waved both penalty claims away.

With nothing to lose whatsoever, and twenty five minutes on the clock, I changed things around. Ermekov and Sardarbekov both came off, with Bolot Ernis and Oleg Popov coming on. We would move into a modified version of a 4-3-3 and attempt to pile on the pressure to try and get Palestine to crack. But they didn't. Time after time we would send the ball towards the three players up front, and each time they were outjumped, or outmuscled. It wasn't to be our day, and we had missed a really good chance to make an immediate step up in the country's International football fortunes.

Palestine Under-23's (0) 1 - Maher Abu-Laban (56)
Kyrgyzstan Under-23's (0) 0
Sultan Mayrambekov; Danila Sokirchenko, Akim Pozilov, Akram Umarov, Turatbek Omurzakov; Atay Renat (capt), Temirlan Keneshov; Eldiyar Sardarbekov (Bolot Ernis 64), Azamat Usubakunov (Raul' Dzhalilov 45), Ilgiz Ermekov (Oleg Popov 64); Bekmyrza Duvanaev.
Unused Substitutes :- Dilmuradjon Tahirjon, Marsel' Islamkulov (GK), Erkinbay Turgunbaev, Bektur Talgat, Boris Drozdetskiy, Bekmyrza Nazarov, Ermek Nusubaliev, Azamat Moldokeev, Ilim Omorov (GK).
Possession :- 43% - 57%. Shots on Target :- 2 - 1. Man of the Match :- Temirlan Keneshov (Kyrgyzstan Under-23's).

Shall we do the positives first? Well, even on a poor surface, we dominated possession against a team widely regarded as better than us. And, in Temirlan Keneshov, we have a midfielder who has had another very good match, showing high percentages for his pass completion rate and tackling. The bad news, despite having a high percentage of the ball, we really struggled to get through the Palestine defence. And worse than that, we find out after the match that a win by any score would have seen us Qualified as the fourth best runner up of the five who get a place. We would have stolen Kuwait's place. That's agonisingly close to a very early success, but it's difficult to be disheartened. We were the fourth seeds in this Group, and have finished second. The Under-23's return to their clubs in reasonable spirits, though obviously some are wondering what might have been.

Asian Under-23's Nations Cup Qualifiers, Group A. Final Table.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 1st   | Q     | Iraq Under 23s       | 4     | 3     | 1     | 0     | 8     | 3     | 5     | 10    | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 2nd   |       | Kyrgyzstan Under 23s | 4     | 2     | 0     | 2     | 6     | 5     | 1     | 6     | 
 
| 3rd   |       | Syria Under 23s      | 4     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 5     | 2     | 3     | 5     | 
 
| 4th   |       | Palestine Under 23s  | 4     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 2     | 2     | 0     | 5     | 

| 5th   |       | Nepal Under 23s      | 4     | 0     | 1     | 3     | 1     | 10    | -9    | 1     | 

 

[neilhoskins77]

April 2015 (cont).

While that International Window was going on, the club sides back in Kyrgyzstan were not resting on their laurels. They were improving their own squads, and while doing so, they were in some cases improving my options too. Lets start with the players who are now available to me that were not around, or not available before. Valeriy Kashuba is a well travelled and seven times capped goalkeeper, who has now just signed for FK Hujand in Tajikstan. He has previously had exposure to First Team football in both Russia and Kazakhstan. He could force himself into contention if he settles well with his competitive new club side.

In defence, Dordoy's centre back who was born in Ghana and already has one Kyrgyzstan cap, Elijah Ariye, is also back in First Team football, and at 6'4, could bring some size into the National Team if can put some good performances together. And Dordoy are not done there either, as they have brought into the club a Nigerian who is already qualified for Kyrgyzstan. 24 year old full back Nwanko Chinedu can play on either side of the defence, but is left footed. He's an eye catching attacking full back, who has great pace, and can cross a ball effectively too. He's a very interesting option for us to consider, and already has a goal, and assist, and two man of the match awards to his name during his short time in the country. 23 year old Manas Zhutanov can play anywhere across the back four, and has just joined Latvian top tier side FC Daugava Daugavpils. He is also eligible for Russia, where he has spent most of his career so far with KamAZ. He looks a very good player, and with the newly expanded League in Latvia, he could get some football under his belt and become as asset to the National Team. There is a case for calling him up and bringing him into the fold to tie him to the nation of his birth. There are a couple of other defenders who are worth keeping an eye on that are without clubs right now. One of them has been capped, the other has yet to experience International football at any level.

In midfield, there is a definite step in standard from the players already established in the squad, to those hoping to make the step up. However, the good news is that there is now a group of players all around the 22-25 age range who are starting to get regular football at the domestic level, and could hopefully start to push themselves into contention. Just like the defensive situation, there are two or three pretty decent midfielders who are looking for a club. If there was a domestic job available right now with a half decent weekly wage budget, I would find it very hard to resist. A couple of those players brought in would provide a real injection to most clubs in this country with the possible exception of Dordoy or Alay Osh. Slightly further up the park, left footed Yury Chukov of second tier side FC Kara-Balta, has had a blistering start to the season. The 24 year old has scored once himself, and set up four more for team mates in the opening five League matches.

At the sharp end of the park, Vitalij Lux still can't get a game at any level in Germany for the Nurnberg club, and the 26 year old really needs to consider his club options if he has serious plans to be invloved as an important member of the National Squad and add to his two caps. Meanwhile, in Uzbekistan, 35 year old once capped striker Il'ya Kovalenko has signed for Atlaschi Marg'ilon, and said he intends to have one last go and getting into good enough form to earn a call up. That would be a long shot at best, but you have to admire his desire. Kayumjan Sharipov is still without a club, and there seems to be a lack of interest in the forward. He is another I would snap up in a heartbeat if I were in charge of a club side right now.

Dordoy have been busy. As well as bringing in the Nigerian defender after learning of his Kyrgzstani eligiblity, they have also brought in two young Serbian players. 19 year old midfielders Milan Jocic and Milovan Karovic are both very talented, particularly Jocic. Both have already made their debuts for their new club, and hopefully they stick around long enough to earn a second nationality one day. Alay Osh have brought in a 19 year old Turkish centre back by the name of Furkan Polat. He has been assigned for now to their second string side, and has been impressive in their unbeaten start to the season in the third tier. Alga Bishkek are looking to potentially rescue the career of 29 year old Cameroon born striker, Maka Koum. The once capped striker has been playing Moldova in recent years, and looked like he was going to fall into the football wilderness. But Alga have now made him easily the highest paid player in the country and £350 a week, and they are hoping he quickly gets amongst the goals. If he does, a recall to the National Squad is a real possibilty for the likeable striker. Keen not to be left behind, Abdysh-Ata Kant have brought in a pair of players from Kazakhstan. 22 year old striker Erkasym Eshenkul looks a very good player, but 29 year old centre back Kuanysh Kenzhaliev has been unlucky to break his collarbone early in his career here, and that is a real blow for his club. Meanwhile, free agent left back Emil Kenjisariev, who I had tried to persuade to return to the International fold, has decided he wants to concentrate on his club career, and is currently attracting interest from Dordoy, and Vostok of Kazakhstan.

Mid month, and the latest FIFA World Rankings are released. We move up one place to joint 163rd, a position we share with Liechtenstein after our win and draw in those two Friendly matches. Moldova are the biggest movers, as they move up 10 places, while Germany top the rankings. As you can see from the table below, it's not exactly illustrious company that we're keeping right now, and I'm very keen to get us up these rankings as soon as possible. I firmly believe we're better than our current ranking suggests.

FIFA World Rankings. Correct as of 15th April 2015.

| Rank           | Name                  | Continent      | Change         | Points         | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 156th          | Singapore             | Asia           | 1              | 157            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 157th          | Guyana                | North America  | 2              | 156            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 158th          | Surinam               | North America  | 4              | 155            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| =159th         | Malta                 | Europe         | 1              | 152            | 
| =159th         | Hong Kong (China PR)  | Asia           | 2              | 152            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| =161st         | Curaçao               | North America  | 4              | 150            | 
| =161st         | India                 | Asia           | 4              | 150            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| =163rd         | Liechtenstein         | Europe         |     -          | 146            | 
| =163rd         | Kyrgyzstan            | Asia           | 1              | 146            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 165th          | Maldives              | Asia           | 9              | 142            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| =166th         | Guam                  | Asia           |     -          | 137            | 
| =166th         | Indonesia             | Asia           | 1              | 137            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 168th          | Malaysia              | Asia           |     -          | 130            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 169th          | East Timor            | Asia           | 1              | 124            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 170th          | Chad                  | Africa         | 1              | 118            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 171st          | Dominica              | North America  | 1              | 115            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 172nd          | Bhutan                | Asia           | 1              | 110            | 
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

As the month of April starts to draw to a close, Ghana born centre back Daniel Tagoe is starting to attract some negative media from the football press of Kyrgyzstan. They believe his form is below the standard required to be considered for the National Team. I don't really agree with them. If you take his two International matches, and add them to his three domestic games for Dordoy, he is a solid seven out of ten guy every match. It's the Asian Confederation Cup matches that are dragging down his average rating, but Dordoy could still Qualify, as they are second with one match remaining. They did take a hiding in Kuwait though, and it's winner takes all when they face Istiqlol of Tajikstan at home in mid May. In the derby match against Alga, he sets out to prove his doubters wrong. He put in a man of the match display, scoring twice in Dordoy's 3-0 victory.

Wednesday afternoon, two days from the end of the month, and the draw is made for the Qualifying Stage of the Asian Under-19 Championships. I've already stated that I believe we would need a very kind draw in this one to even be competitive, never mind stand a chance of Qualifying. We didn't get it. We are drawn into a Group of four nations, so we'll have a more manageable schedule when the games start in October. But we are drawn into a Group with a trio of Middle East nations. We'll face the United Arab Emirates, along with Palestine, who denied our Under-23's a place in their Finals less than a month ago, and then Kuwait, who are likely to be better than their third seed status suggests. The odds are stacked against us, and they lengthen still further when Kuwait are selected to host the Group between the 2nd and 10th of October. They select the 17,000 all seater Mubarak Al-Ayaar Stadium to host the Group, it's a nine year old stadium that is the home of Kuwaiti Premier League club and 1990 National Champions, the Al-Jahra Sports Club. We'll kick off the Group on Friday 2nd October with a match against Palestine Under-19's. That will be followed by a Tuesday 6th October date with our hosts from Kuwait in the later match that day. We'll conclude the Group with the final match of the schedule on Saturday 10th October against the UAE.

[neilhoskins77]

May 2015.

May was going to be an even quieter month than April, with domestic football coming to the centre of everyone's attention. Dordoy would be without Daniel Tagoe for a spell, after he stubbed a toe in training. He was doubtful for their crucial Asian Confederations Cup match. Alay Osh were continuing to try and strengthen their squad. They added another young defender from Turkey, and also captured the signature of attacking left back Emil Kenjisariev, the player I had tried, and failed to convince to return to the International fold. A 1-0 defeat away to Alga Bishkek leaves them playing catch up behind the top two, with Dordoy still unbeaten. At the other end, neither KG United or Ala-Too Naryn have managed a win yet. They drew when they played each other, and Ala-Too managed to take a point from Alga at home as well. It will be a huge game when those two meet again in mid August, and good go a long way to deciding who survives in the High League.

Favourites to replace whoever goes down will be FC Kara-Balta, if they meet criteria of course. They won First League Zone A last season, but had to decline their place in the top tier as they don't have the facilities to go up. They have won every game to date this season as well, beating Dordoy Reserves in their latest fixture away from home. There are two more winless clubs in this Division as well, with Alga-Chuy bottom of the League, just a point behind KG United's second string, who go by the name of RSDYushOR Bishkek. With two facing relegation, that pairing look the favourites. In Zone B, it's Alay Osh's second side who lead the way, unbeaten so far. Neftchi-Kochkor-Ata are their closest challengers, though they have lost a couple of matches. Slightly surprising is Aldier Kurshab, who are struggling to keep up with the pace down in fourth. There is speculation that unless Ulugbek Kurmanbekov can turn the fortunes around and get them in the mix for promotion soon, the club could be looking for a replacement for him, with my name already being touted as the favourite for the job. That would be an interesting situation, but maybe a little too early in my tenure.

On the 13th of the month, the latest FIFA World Rankings are announced, and after one step forward last month, it's two steps back this time around, as we drop down to 165th, which is now a new record lowest ranking for the nation. Germany remain top of the pile, in front of Argentina and Holland, with Colombia and Belgium rounding out the top five. Iran are the best placed nation from Asia, in 44th place. Mali are the biggest movers this month, making a jump of five places. Meanwhile, Dordoy lose in Tajikistan in their crucial Asian Confederations Cup match, and miss out on a potentially lucrative place in the last sixteen of the tournament. They have certainly made an impression though, and they'll be hoping for another crack at it next season.

When the final League matches of the month were played, Dordoy put that defeat behind them, and picked up another win at home. They would end the month with a two point lead, and a game in hand on closest challengers and city rivals, Alga Bishkek. They only managed a draw, and with Alay Osh winning away to KG United, they have closed to within a point of Alga, and have a game in hand on them. FC Kara-Balta win again in the second tier, and have now reached the halfway point with a perfect record and a five point lead at the top of the table. In the third tier, Alay Osh Reserves preserved their lead at the top, four points ahead of Neftchi Kochkor-Ata, who piled more misery on Aldier Kurshab. Third placed FC Jalabat also lost some ground as they only managed a draw. The following weekend would see the Kyrgyzstani Cup Third Round played, and there would be a shock, as Ala-Too Naryn were beaten at home by the Reserve side of Neftchi Kochkor-Ata on penalty kicks. They have managed to progress much further than their Senior team, who they knocked out themselves in the previous round. They get a home tie in the Quarter-Finals, where they'll face second tier high flyers FC Kara-Balta. No doubt about the tie of the round though, as Dordoy and Alga will face off, while holders Alay Osh travel to face non-League club Khimik Kara-Balta. The final tie of the last eight will see the other non-League survivor, Kara-Shoro Ozgon host High League club Abdysh-Ata Kant. Don't forget, the winners of the Cup will Qualify for Continental football next season, with a place in the Asian Confederations Cup.

One of the features of Alga Bishkek's win in the Cup was a goal from Maka Koum, who finally got off the mark for his club. It was a particularly good time to score, but would it be enough to get him a place in the Senior National squad for the first of our World Cup Qualifiers.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday 31st May 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Senior National Team.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Qualifying Section, Group Two.
To Play Australia (A - Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia) (6/6/15) & Bangladesh (H - Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) (11/6/15).

Goalkeepers.
Maxim Agapov. 27 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 6 caps/0 goals.
Kirill Priadkin. 37 yrs old. 6'3. FK Kaisar Kyzykorda (KAZ). 8 caps/0 goals.
Vladislav Volkov. 34 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 8 caps/0 goals.

Defenders.
Daniel Tagoe. 29 yrs old. 6'2. Dordoy Bishkek. 2 caps/0 goals.
Davron Askarov. 27 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 16 caps/0 goals.
Faruh Abitov. 26 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.
Kursanbek Sheratov. 25 yrs old. 6'4. Dordoy Bishkek. 5 caps/0 goals.
Nwanko Chinedu. 24 yrs old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Tamirlan Kozubaev. 20 yrs old. 6'4. FK Klaipeda Granitas (LTU). Uncapped.
Vadim Kharchenko. 31 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 25 caps/1 goal.
Valery Kichin. 22 yrs old. 5'11. FC Tyumen (RUS). 16 caps/0 goals.

Midfielders.
Anatolii Vlasichev. 26 yrs old. 6'0. Unattached. 15 caps/0 goals.
Anton Zemlianukhin. 26 yrs old. 5'9. FK Radnicki Nis (SRB). 15 caps/6 goals.
Baktay Taalaybek. 23 yrs old. 6'5. Alga Bishkek. 2 caps/ 0 goals.
Edgar Bernhardt. 29 yrs old. 5'9. Prachuap FC (THA). 6 caps/1 goal.
Karim Izrailov. 28 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 5 caps/0 goals.
Murat Madaliev. 26 yrs old. 5'3. FC Kara-Balta. 2 caps/ 1 goal
Rustamjan Zakirov. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 3 caps/0 goals.
Viktor Maier. 25 yrs old. 6'0. SV Meppen (GER). 4 caps/0 goals.

Forwards.
David Tetteh. 29 yrs old. 5'11. Dordoy Bishkek. 8 caps/3 goals.
Vitalij Lux. 26 yrs old. 6'0. 1.FC Nurnberg (GER). 2 caps/ 0 goals.
Mirlan Murzaev. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Dordoy Bishkek. 15 caps/5 goals.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once more, Kirill Priadkin's inclusion causes debate amongst the sports media of the nation. They believe that rather than selecting a 37 year old, we should be looking to the future, and selecting a younger player more capable of making an impact. I think they would have more of a point if we weren't discussing a goalkeeper. As a club player, he is very experienced, and having him available to the squad is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. They are also 'bemused' by the inclusion of Nwanko Chinedu. They suspect he does not have the skill levels to be effective as an International footballer. He has been superb for Dordoy so far this season, and I think they are treating him harshly, and wonder if it's more to do with him only recently coming into the country. They are excited by the inclusion of Lithuanian based centre back Tamirlan Kozubaev, and they would have had another to potentially get excited about as well, but Manas Zhutanov, the 23 year old Russian born and trained centre back who plays in Latvia's top tier SMScredit.lv Virsliga, has decided to reject his call up to the National Squad. That's disappointing, but I'll keep trying to convince him.

[neilhoskins77]

June 2015.

The Wednesday before the opening World Cup Qualifier, and the squad meet and fly to Australia. It's a journey that will take nearly 20 hours, and will involve two stops. It's hardly idea preparation, and I'd like to have travelled a few days ago, but the Kyrgyzstani Cup schedule made than impossible. And we'll have the same long journey on the way back before facing Bangladesh back in Bishkek. Most of the squad will have a couple of days to recover from their long travel day, but four will arrive a little later, Kirill Priadkin, Marat Madaliev, Baktay Taalaybek and Tursunali Rustamov are all going to be about 24 hours behind the rest of the squad arriving in Melbourne.

10/1. That's the price on us causing an upset and leaving Australia with all three points in our suitcase. I find it a bit disrespectful if I'm honest, but the only way to show people that's the case is to give the Socceroos and tough time on Saturday evening in Melbourne. The positive is that it takes all the pressue from my players shoulders, and places them in a no lose situation. Anton Zemlianukhin tells the press that the squad are quietly confident, and are ready to play out of their skins come game time. Another of our overseas contingent, Viktor Maier, states he would be 'over the moon' if Kyrgyzstan could get a result from the game, and the squad is relaxed in the knowledge that there is very little in the way of expectation on them for this opening match.

When it comes to my turn in front of the media, I answer a range of questions from both the Kyrgyzstani and Australian media. I tell our own press that I see no relevance to where Nwanko Chinedu was born, and all that matters is that he is qualified to play for us, and is good enough to prove on the park that he should be playing for us. The Australians wanted to know if having to play the best side in the Group first away from home was a good, or bad thing. After joking with them about the feasibility of their claim to be the best side, I told them it's not a bad thing to get the long journey and tough fixture played early on, more chance of catching the Socceroos on the hop maybe.

On the morning of the match, I'm given the news that striker Mirlan Murzaev is out, and will be returning back to Kyrgyzstan. The 25 year old Dordoy player has been in particularly good form recently, but he has damaged a knee cap in last nights final training session, and will be out for around a month. It's a blow to lose the striker who has a strike rate of a goal for every three International matches he has played in so far. A replacement is required, and the man selected is Cameroon born thirty year old, Maka Koum. The once capped Alga Bishkek striker has been playing well, but struggling to find the net. It's hoped that his goal last weekend in the Kyrgyzstani Cup might light the touch paper. He won't be available for the match in Melbourne though, by the time he travelled out here, he would arrive just in time to catch the flight back. He'll join the squad when they arrive back in Bishkek. So, we head into our opening Qualifier one player light on the bench. The big day is finally here. The last time a British manager had any success on a football pitch down under, Evil Dave was still making his name in Western Australia before hitting the big time in the United States.

Saturday 6th June 2015 - 19:30pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne, Australia.
Australia v Kyrgyzstan.
Attendance :- 30,050. Weather :- 15c.

I had two main decisions to make for my lineup, in goal, and up front. I selected Dordoy's keeper Vladislav Volkov to play in goal for us, and his Ghana born club colleague, David Tetteh, to start the match up front, with Vitalij Lux potentially lacking the match fitness to be a viable option to start the game. It was our midfield that concerned me the most. With Anton Zemlianukhin pushed further into the role behind the striker, I thought we lacked any real star quality in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, Australia's resources allow them to leave a player like Tim Cahill on the bench. Their squad of players are drawn together from all corners of the globe, with players from the top Leagues in nations such as Germany, England, China, Holland and Greece involved in their side today. In front of a full house in Melbourne, we were going to have our work cut out.

It would take Australia nearly twenty minutes to work a gap behind our well organised and sturdy defence. Matthew Leckie cut across the park near halfway, and then laid the ball off to Jackson Irvine, and kept running. The Ross County midfielder played it right back into his path, and Leckie managed to wriggle his way past Daniel Tagoe, before letting fly with a shot, which beat Vladislav Volkov but was inches wide of the far post. The foul count was already starting to tally up, and Davron Askarov pushed the Saudi ref's patience too far, the Captain going into the book midway through the half.

Moments later, a golden chance came our way, as Murat Madaliev sent a first time ball out to the left wing, and Karim Izrailov got himself one on one with another of the Australian side based in Scotland, this time Ryan McGowan, who earns a living playing for Dundee United. Our winger twisted and turned, and earned enough room to skid a ball across the Australian penalty box, where Edgar Bernhardt met it. From the narrowest of angles, he got his shot on target, right at Matthew Ryan. The keeper did really well to stop it bouncing off him and into his own net, and he was grateful to fall on the loose ball right at the foot of the post, while Bernhardt tried to untangle himself from the side netting.

Valery Kichin was next to incur the wrath of the ref, and his name was added to the naughty list by the ref, who dished out the yellow card shaped punishment. By this point in the match, Robbie Kruse was struggling, the VfB Stuttgart winger suffering with a damaged toe. It didn't prevent him from curling the ball beyond our defence and into the path of Adam Taggart. He strode into the box, and attempted to place his shot low, and inside the near post, but Volkov was equal to it, and managed to push it away from danger. We had got through to the break without conceding, and the Australians were starting to get frustrated.

The players were asked to keep on doing exactly what they done in the first half, if we got ourselves out of here with a point, I would be more than happy. The frustration continued into the second half for the hosts, and with twelve minutes gone in the second half, they made a treble change, but still no Cahill. Our task became a little more challenging in the 64th minute, there was no foul, but after a tackle, Bernhardt crashed to the ground awkwardly, and the winger couldn't get up without help. He was clutching his arm, and wouldn't be able to continue, so Viktor Maier was summoned from the bench to replace him. Valery Kichin, walking a fine line after being booked, was also replaced at the same time, with Nwanko Chinedu brought on in his place. Unfortunately, that was just the break in our concentration that Australia needed. Leckie split our defence with a pass in behind for Kruse, and he got to the edge of the box before cutting back across the park and finding Leckie again. The striker was barged to the floor, but the ref was spared making a decision, as Mile Jedinak played the ball to the feet of substitute James Troisi, and he sidefooted his low shot under the dive of Volkov and put Australia ahead.

We had no option but to push forward a little more, and Leckie had another chance to try and put Australia out of reach, once again he just missed the target with his low effort. With 78 minutes on the clock, I sacrificed the industrious efforts of Rustamjan Zakirov in midfield, and Anton Zemlianukhin would drop back, with the physical presence of Baktay Taalaybek brought off the bench to try and cause some problems at the sharp end of the park. Instead, it was the Aussies on the counter that looked more likely, and Leckie sent Troisi away and in the clear on the left, this time Volkov managed to stop his effort. Moments later, and Troisi caused more problems, sending in a cross that Preston defender Bailey Wright diverted towards goal, but Askarov threw himself at the ball to keep it away from our goal. We would be leaving empty handed as far as points were concerned, but our pride was very much intact.

Australia (0) 1 - James Troisi (66)
Kyrgyzstan (0) 0
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchecnko, Davron Askarov (capt), Daniel Tagoe, Valery Kichin (Nwanko Chinedu 64); Rustamjan Zakirov (Baktay Taalaybek 78), Murat Madaliev; Edgar Bernhardt (inj - Viktor Maier 64), Anton Zemlianukhin, Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Kursanbek Sheratov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Anatolii Vlasichev, Tursunali Rustamov, Vitalij Lux, Kirill Priadkin (GK).
Possession :- 53% - 47%. Shots on Target :- 4 - 1. Man of the Match :- Mile Jedinak (Australia).

Edgar Bernhardt's awkward fall has resulted in a dislocated shoulder, which meant two months on the sidelines for the Thailand based winger. Raul' Dzhalilov, the 20 year old winger from Kazakhstan second tier club, FK Bulat AMT Temirtau, would join the squad on our return to Krygyzstan to replace him. Apart from that blow, I felt we had escaped, in more ways than one. We hadn't got the battering that many were expecting for a starter. We had also managed to pick up only two bookings, despite being penalised on twenty five occassions for fouls. If the ref had been more strict, we could have found ourselves walking a disciplinary tight rope right from the off. Defensively, I was really happy with my players efforts, as Australia sent eighteen shots at goal, and only four of them were on target, as we did a decent job of forcing them to shoot from range and half chances. So it was annoying to see us described in the media as 'wobbly'. I wasn't happy with that at all, and felt that our efforts were being overlooked. Our fans were a little more pragmatic, with the vibe being disappointment, though they didn't think it impacted on the nations ambitions for this Qualifying Group. In the after match press conference, I told the press that there were plenty of positives to be taken despite the defeat, though I did concede that we would now be under pressure to make sure we got a result against Bangladesh next time out.

[EvilDave]

15 hours ago, neilhoskins77 said:

The last time a British manager had any success on a football pitch down under, Evil Dave was still making his name in Western Australia before hitting the big time in the United States.

Love this, thanks for the namedrop! Great performance against the Aussies, even if you couldn't get the point you deserved - all looking good for Kyrgyzstan at the moment...

[neilhoskins77]

June 2015 (cont).

After making a substitute appearance to earn his first cap, full back Nwanko Chinedu told the media that the defeat had not impacted on the squads morale. In fact, he continued, by avoiding the cricket score that most people expected, the team had great confidence ahead of their coming fixtures. Speaking of coming fixtures, the power of modern technology allowed me to keep on contact with the FA during our long trip home. With our next International Window featuring just one World Cup Qualifier, away to Jordan, I asked them to arrange a home Friendly, and if possible get our opponents to bring along an Under-19 side to give our youngest side a much needed match before they went into their Qualifiers. I requested that our opponents be somewhere around us in the World Rankings, and they got back to me a few hours later, with the news that Pakistan had accepted our offer.

With the opportunity to relax while travelling, I looked around at the other scores from the opening World Cup Qualifiers played elsewhere. In the other game in our Group, there was a decisive victory for Jordan, who won 3-0 away to Bangladesh. In the other Groups, there were comfortbale victories for China and Japan, away to Hong Kong and home to Afghanistan respectively. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were winners, but in a less comfortable manner away to Laos and home to Malaysia. There were two surprising results on offer, as Iran were held to a 1-1 draw by India in New Dehli, while South Korea started their campaign with a shock 1-0 defeat against Lebanon in Beirut. The report for our own match on that World Soccer website concluded with a suggestion that defeat in our opening match made our Qualification much more difficult. With the reporter who submitted that article on our flight, I took the chance to have a chat, and he took the opportunity to get an impromptu on the record interview. I told him our campaign would not be defined by our trip to Australia, especially if the other nations came here and also suffered defeat. It's much more likely that our fortunes would be dictated by our results against the other nations of the Group, starting with our home match against Bangladesh.

With Maka Doum and Raul' Dzhalilov joining the squad in our Bishkek base upon our return, preparations started for the game on the other end of the spectrum. We had faced what was considered to be our toughest match of the Group, and now we would face what on paper should be our easiest, the home fixture with Bangladesh. We're the favourites for the match, though nothing like the favourites Australia were against us on the weekend, as we're priced by the bookmakers at a very backable, 4/5. I'd have had a punt on that myself, if I were allowed. I hoped there would be a near capacity crowd in Bishkek for the match, but I would be disappointed, as the predicted attendance was only for 8,000, meaning the stadium would be only just over a third full for the game. A former International spoke on TV on the eve of the match, and said that the nation would be relying on it's big name players to make sure the opportunity to get three points on the board did not pass us by. From within the camp, Davrom Askarov was seeking to divert the pressure off the team, by stating that Bangladesh would not prove to be walkovers.

Thursday 11th June 2015 - 19:30pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Bangladesh.
Attendance :- 8,613. Weather :- 21c.

Those who put up a fight in Melbourne are given a chance to put some points on the board for us today, the faith is kept in them. There is one forced change, with Edgar Bernhardt missing from the right wing, Viktor Maier starts in his place. The two replacements who have been drafted into the squad, Maka Doum and Raul' Dzhalilov, are both amongst the substitutes for today's match. Our fans have mostly taken up places on the top tier of this old, very Eastern European looking stadium. The visiting couple of hundred fans from Bangladesh are behind one of the goalmouths.

It was clear that Bangladesh were going to be very defensive, venturing forward only when able to do so on the counter attack. A frustrating opening half hour sees us keep possession of the ball with a high level of effectievness, but unable to unlock the door. Just after the half hour, Valery Kichin curled a cross into the penalty box. It was too far in front of any of our forwards, but it bounced horribly and awkwardly right in front of visiting keeper Asaduzzaman Chowdhury, who only parry the ball to make sure it didn't go beyond him, and then clutch it at the second attempt. Watching the keeper struggle like that, seemed to give our players new impetus. Rustamjan Zakirov strode through midfield, and let a long shot go, this one again bouncing in front of the keeper, but flying past the upright. The latter stages of the half saw the South Korean ref book to of our players, Murat Madaliev and Vadim Kharchenko. In between those yellow cards, David Tetteh suffered the worst end of a clash of heads, and was clearly struggling. Taking no chances, he left the park just a couple of minutes before half time, and was replaced by Vitalij Lux.

The message at the break was simple. They're going to crack, they just need to be encouraged. You can do this. Zakirov was booked for a rather innocuous looking challenge near the touchline on halfway. But in their haste, Bangladesh took the free kick, too quickly, and Rajani Kanta Uddin's attempt to play in Abdul Baten Munna was easily intercepted by Valery Kichin. He gave it back to Vladislav Volkov, and the keeper sent it downfield. Zakirov headed it down to Murat Madaliev, who then sent it wide to Karim Izrailov. With two defenders scrambling back to get in his path, the winger sent it back across the park to Mudaliev, and then one more square pass saw the ball at the feet of Anton Zemlianukhin. He took one touch with his right to move the ball back to his left foot, and then another to evade an oncoming defender. He then unleashed a curling shot that left Chowdhury grasping at thin air, the ball flying into the top corner of the net, and the fans packing the top deck of the Dolena jumping up and down with delight.

We nearly doubled that lead right from the restart. Mudaliev intercepted the ball, and swung it left for Izrailov to run onto. The winger ran right into the penalty box, and then stood a cross up to the back post, but it was just beyond the reach of Vitalij Lux. The striker retrieved the ball, and got it back into the centre. Zemlianukhin found Mudaliev with an absolutely outrageous backheeled pass, and Mudaliev let a shot go. Chowdhury made his save, and Izrailov put the loose ball into the net, but he was offside. Valery Kichin was booked just before the hour, which rules him out of the trip to Jordan in September. Midway through the half, Zemlianukhin left the field to rapturous applause. He was replaced by Baktay Taalaybek, while at the same time, Zakirov also came off, with Anatolii Vlasichev coming on in his place.

As the match approached it's latter stages, Bangladesh became a little more adventurous, and were nearly helped by Daniel Tagoe, who took a very unnecessary risk. He broke the cardinal rule of defenders worldwide, a played a pass across his own penalty box, with only the alertness and pace of Kharchenko digging him out of the hole. Inadvertently, that opened the door for us. A couple of Bangladesh players tried to capatilise on Tagoe's wayward passing, but Kharchenko got the ball out of danger, and upfield to Madaliev. He once more involved Izrailov, and the winger cross to Taalaybek on the edge of the box. His deft flick sent the ball to Lux, who drove a low shot out of Chowdhury's reach, and made it 2-0. Game over. We nearly padded out the goal difference when an attempted clearance hit Taalaybek, and bounced into the path of Lux, but his finish wasn't as clinical this time.

Kyrgyzstan (0) 2 - Anton Zemlianukhin (48), Vitalij Lux (83)
Bangladesh (0) 0
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Davron Askarov (capt), Daniel Tagoe, Valery Kichin; Rustamjan Zakirov (Anatolii Vlasichev 68), Murat Madaliev; Viktor Maier, Anton Zemlianukhin (Baktay Taalaybek 68), Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh (inj - Vitalij Lux 43).
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Kursanbek Sheratov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Nwanko Chinedu, Raul' Dzhalilov, Tursunali Rsutamov, Maka Koum, Kirill Priadkin (GK).
Possession :- 61% - 39%. Shots on Target :- 5 - 1. Man of the Match :- Murat Madaliev (Kyrgyzstan).

'Possession Is Key To Fine Win' heralds the sports pages after that victory. Murat Madaliev and Karim Izrailov are handed the plaudits as two of those putting in stand out performances. The fans are delighted as well, while World Soccer are quoting an un-named member of the squad as saying that is was pleasing to get the Qualifying campaign back on track. I still don't think it was off track. Madaliev gets the man of the match award, Anton Zemlianukhin tells the press that the squad are extemely confident of doing well in the challenges ahead, and that team spirit is at an all time high. I'd like to think that the World Ranking would be too, but no new Rankings are produced in June, and our win is unlikely to pull up any trees in that regard. The players leave the camp in buoyant mood, but when we next meet up, Valery Kichin will be unavailable, his booking against Bangladesh is his second of the campaign, and he will be suspended for the trip to Jordan.

[neilhoskins77]

9 hours ago, EvilDave said:

Love this, thanks for the namedrop! Great performance against the Aussies, even if you couldn't get the point you deserved - all looking good for Kyrgyzstan at the moment...

I was certainly pretty happy with our defensive effort in Australia. It's not a game I expected us to get anything from, but avoiding a thumping was important for the team morale.

[neilhoskins77]

June/July 2015.

Tajikistan started their campaign just as we had, with a 1-0 defeat to the Australians. There were two nations that managed 5-0 wins on this matchday, South Korea getting back to business with a win over Myanmar, while Uzbekistan started their attempt to Qualify by beating Yemen with the same scoreline. With a Friendly arranged against Pakistan to form a double header in the next International Window, I would love to be able to use the opportunity to start taking a look at some other players, but as the squad named will also be travelling to Jordan for the World Cup Qualifier, that isn't going to be an option on this occasion unfortunately.

The High League returns to action, and Dordoy are beaten 3-0 away to Alay Osh, a result that really opens up the Title race, as Alay are now top on goal difference. Alga Bishkek keep themselves in the race with a victory by the same score over Ala-Too. In the second tier, Kara-Balta drop their first points of the season, but they still have a healthy lead over the Alga and Dordoy Reserve sides. Aldier Kurshab make up some ground in the third tier with an away win, taking advantage of Neftchi-Kochkor-Ata and Jalabat being held to draws at home. In midweek, the two Title protagonists are both in action in the High League, and both come out with the win. There is no winning for Ala-Too Naryn manager Anarbek Ormonbekov though, and a 3-0 home defeat to Alay Osh sees the 44 year old former National Team manager handed his notice. Officially, he is being sacked for his failure to take adequate control of the finances at the club, but being dumped out of the Cup by a Reserve side, and the poor League performance clearly hasn't done him any favours either. With the do or die League fixture against KG United coming up in August, they appear to have run out of faith in Ormonbekov.

This is the first time a manager has been sacked in Kyrgyzstan this season, and I can't resist the opportunity to test the water, and I throw my hat into the ring as a potential replacement for the recently sacked manager. We'll see what happens with that over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, there is a problem for the National Squad, involving one of our most effective players. As the season is about to start in Thailand's second tier, Prachuap FC have decided that they don't need Edgar Bernhardt in their squad, and cut the winger loose. I hope he finds a new club quickly, but it's unlikely to be back in Krygyzstan, unless he is will to take a fairly major pay cut.

July would only host one round of High League matches, and Dordoy had to come from behind to to snatch an unconvincing win at managerless Ala-Too. There were no such problems for Alay Osh, as they kept their noses in front on an increasingly impressive goal difference by thumping the Division's other also rans, KG United, 5-0. There is still a third team in the mix, Alga Bishkek, who are just two points behind the front runners after a 1-0 home win over safely in mid table sid Abdysh-Ata. In the second tier, Kara-Balta returned to winning ways quickly with a 2-0 home win over Belovodsk. The Reserve sides of Alga and Dordoy kept up the pressure with wins of their own. At the other end, RSDYuShOR Bishkek earned themselves some breathing room with a win away from home. In the third tier, Aldier Kurhshab kept alive their hopes of promotion with a home win, but Jalabat are still in front of them after matching their result. The top two of Alay Reserves and Neftchi Kochkor-Ata met on the Sunday, playing out a draw that suited the second string side just fine.

On Wednesday 8th July, I received an offer to attend an interview for the job as Manager of Ala-Too Naryn. With nothing to lose, and a curiosity that needed quenching, I went along to hear what they had to say. With the pleasantaries out of the way, much of the questioning centred around finances, not surprisingly as that was the official line from the club why the last occupant of the hot seat lost his job. They wanted to know how I would cope working under financial contraints, and if I had any plan in place to deal with the financial situation. I told them that I'm a football manager, not an accountant, and that I would expect them to deal with the money side of things, and that I would look after the playing side. They must have been happy with that, as by Saturday they had come back to offer me the job. They weren't exactly showing commitment though, as they offered me a four month contract through to the end of the current season, which as far as I can see at this point is a grand total of two League matches, albeit one of them being a big one against KG United. They were offering me £350 a week, which was a good salary. But the wage salary would be set at £380 a week, and they were already spending close to £550. It looked like there was plenty to lose, and not a lot to gain, so I said no. Wrong time, and quite possibly the wrong job as well.

Saturday would also see the Kyrgyzstani Cup Quarter-Finals take place. The top two in the High League faced off, and it was Dordoy who squeezed through on penalty kicks against Alga after a 1-1 draw. If Dordoy were going to get their hands on the Cup, they were not going to get an easy route, as they will face Alay Osh in the Semi-Final. They dispatched one of the non-League sides left in the Cup, beating Khimik Kara-Balta 4-0. The other two non-Leaguers were also sent packing, with Abdysh-Ata beating Kara Shoro, and making it three High League sides in the final four. Kara-Balta got past Neftchi Kochkor's second string side on penalties, and the Division One Zone A leaders complete the lineup in the final four, and will face Abdysh-Ata.

By Monday afternoon, Ala-Too Naryn had a new manager in place, and it's a face that is familiar to me, vaguely. Their new man in charge is 49 year old Alexandr Korzanov, the man I sacked as Under-19's National Team manager on my first day in the job. The job will be his first in club football, and he will be thrown right into the club's biggest game of the season, their crunch clash with KG United in mid August. He has 16 International caps, and was in charge of our Under-19 side for over fourteen years. Hopefully, he'll be able to bring some good young talent through at Ala-Too, but I fear he'll have his work cut out in that job if he is there long term.

Tuesday brings good news, as our performances in our opening World Cup Qualifying matches earn us a rise of thirteen spots up the latest issue of the FIFA World Rankings. A new lofty place of 152nd is not enough to earn us the most improved nation though, as that honour goes to Belize, as the Central American country move up twenty places to 121st position.

FIFA World Rankings. Correct as of Wednesday 15th July 2015.

| Rank           | Name                 | Continent      | Change         | Points         |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 142nd          | Barbados             | North America  | 4              | 196            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| =143rd         | Thailand             | Asia           | 1              | 184            |
| =143rd         | Swaziland            | Africa         | 6              | 184            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 145th          | Nicaragua            | North America  | 6              | 181            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 146th          | Singapore            | Asia           | 8              | 178            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| =147th         | Curaçao              | North America  | 9              | 175            |
| =147th         | Tajikistan           | Asia           | 1              | 175            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 149th          | Luxembourg           | Europe         | -5             | 174            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| =150th         | Turkmenistan         | Asia           | -19            | 173            |
| =150th         | The Gambia           | Africa         |     -          | 173            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 152nd          | Kyrgyzstan           | Asia           | 13             | 169            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 153rd          | Puerto Rico          | North America  | -1             | 167            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 154th          | Guyana               | North America  | 4              | 164            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 155th          | Liberia              | Africa         | -9             | 158            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| =156th         | India                | Asia           | 5              | 157            |
| =156th         | Hong Kong (China PR) | Asia           | 2              | 157            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 158th          | Guam                 | Asia           | 6              | 151            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 159th          | Grenada              | North America  | -4             | 149            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 160th          | Liechtenstein        | Europe         | 2              | 147            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 161st          | Malta                | Europe         | -1             | 145            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 162nd          | Myanmar              | Asia           | -9             | 143            |
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

On Saturday 18th July, the final domestic matches of the month are played, and with no Higher League games scheduled, attention switches onto the second and third tiers. Kara-Balta take another step towards winning Division One Zone A with a 2-0 win, with Murat Madaliev amongst the scorers. The Reserve sides of Alga and Dordoy both claim wins, so the leaders don't manage to increase their lead, which remains at six points with five matches remaining. At the other end of the table, both Alga Chuy and FC Belovodsk lose, therefore failing to take advantage of RSDYuShOR having their week off. In the third tier, Alay Osh Reserves put another spanner in Aldier Kurshab's hopes, beating them 1-0 to open their lead at the top to eight points with four matches remaining. Second place Neftchi Kochkor-Ata will be breathing a sigh of relief, as they are held by away from home by bottom club FC Toktogul, but FC Jalabat miss the opportunity of leaping over them by only managing a draw themselves, remaining a point behind Neftchi, with Aldier another three points back again.

Since signing with High League club Alay Osh, 28 year old left back Emil Kenjisariev has been in superb form. In six League and Cup matches, he has returned a goal, three assists, and an average rating of 7.72. I can't resist another attempt to lure him from the International wilderness he placed himself in aged just nineteen back on New Year's Day of 2007. Last time I tried, it was a definitive no. This time, there was certainly some softening of his stance, and he said while he was very tempted, after giving it some thought, he had decided that his club career must come first at the moment. While it's still a no, I'm encouraged by him giving it some thought at least, and you can count on me trying to persuade him to change his mind again in the future. I'm of the opinion that he could still play at a much higher level than he will get domestically, and earn a lot more than the £120 a week he is currently being paid.

The month of July ends with some fixtures being added to the calendar for the age group sides. The Under-19's have a game scheduled against Pakistan in Bishkek in September, and that International Window is now a double header for them, as they are invited to travel to face Indonesia at the 50,000 capacity Mandala Stadium in Jayapura four days before that match. That double header should give our young players some ideal match time before they head into their Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifiers in October. And Indonesia will also be the destination for the Under-20's, who accept an invite to play a Friendly in October at the Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, a venue that holds 40,000. Hopefully those matches will provide some valuable game time and squad time together for the youngsters as they look to step up a couple of notches on their display's earlier in the year.

[neilhoskins77]

August 2015.

On the first day of August, the first domestic matter of the season was settled, as in the third tier level of Division One Zone B, the Reserve side of Alay Osh secured promotion up to the second tier following an away win against Shakhter Kyzyl-Kiya. That leaves three sides fighting for the one remaining promotion spot, with Neftchi Kochkor-Ata beating FC Jalabat 2-0 to earn some breathing room. Aldier Kurshab remain in the race, moving level on points with Jalabat after their win away to Energetic Kara-Kulja. One step higher up the pyramid in Division One Zone A, records were being broken. Dordoy's Reserves are the new proud holders of the League's biggest win, after thumping the visiting second string side of Abdysh-Ata Kant by a 6-0 scoreline. They are still going to struggle to catch League leaders Kara-Balta though, who record a new League record 12th match unbeaten, and seem to be storming onwards towards a second consecutive Title success. They got the record breaking win against bottom of the table Alga-Chuy, who looked dead certs for the drop now. Favourites to join them are FC Belovodsk Belovodskoye, who were thumped 5-1 away to Nashe Pivo Kant. Their job is made a little more difficult when RSDYuShOR Bishkek, the Reserve side of KG United, earn a point at home to the other side from Kant, fourth placed Zhivoye Pivo. There is of course the possibility that RSYDuShor may have to be demoted anyway of course, as if KG United are relegated from the top tier, then surely the FA won't allow them to compete in the same Division as their own Reserve side?

In transfer news, the Ghana born centre back, Daniel Tagoe, makes his move to domestic football in Kyrgyzstan a brief one. His club side Dordoy, accept a £1,000 bid for him from top tier Azerbaijan side, Turan Tovuz Idman Klubu. They have just began their campaign, and add the centre back to their very multi cultural squad, making him one of the highest paid Kyrgyzstani players in the game while they are at it. At the same time, Ildar Amirov, a former striker for Dordoy who has been playing for Alay Osh this season, leaves the club on a free transfer to sign for Armenian top tier League leaders, FC Mika. The Yerevan based club made him a financial offer he considered too good to turn down, and Alay gave him their blessing to leave. He wasn't the only one to make the move from Alay to Armenia, as Karim Izrailov joins Pyunik Yerevan on a free transfer as well. As mid month approaches, we receive some good news, with the nation being the biggest upward movers in August's release of the FIFA World Rankings. A move of three spots push us up to joint 149th spot with Turkmenistan, and just one spot behind our neighbours and World Cup Qualifying campaign rivals, Tajikistan. The increase in ranking comes as a result of some previous poor results now dropping out of the time frame used to impact the Rankings, and means we enter the top 150 for the first time since I took charge. Onwards and upwards even more hopefully over the coming months would be great.

With now less than two weeks before selection is required for both the Senior National Team and the Under-19's for both's double header in September, the domestic schedule continues with the first trophy given out, and more records being set. We'll start in the High League, where there would be a penultimate, and pivitol round of fixtures. Leaders Alay Osh went about their business with a 2-0 away win over an Abdysh-Ata Kant club that found themselves marooned in mid table with no opportunity to get themselves involved in the sharp end of matters, but also sufficiently point laden to ensure they won't be dragged into the relegation fight either. And Alay would have more cause to be cheerful as well, when the Bishkek Derby held at Dordoy saw the visiting Alga side take a share of the spoils, which left Alay knowing that with their significantly superior goal difference, a point would make them Champions on the last weekend of August. The point means Alga are now the Higher League record holders for unbeaten matches, with a new high of six games. At the other end of the table, the bottom two play out their crucial second meeting of the season. KG United needed a win to have any realistic hopes of survival based on their season to date. But they went behind inside quarter of an hour, and a 90th minute equaliser left them with no time to try and take all three points. With a trip to Dordoy on the final day, they are now unlikely to be able to to get themselves above the dotted line.

In the second tier, Kara-Balta have won again, this time away from home against the Reserve side of Alga Bishkek. With that result, and Dordoy Reserves losing away to bottom of the table Alga-Chuy, a point in their next match would be enough to make Kara-Balta the Champions of Division One Zone A. At the other end, Alga-Chuy's win was matched by the other side in the relegation zone, as FC Belovodsk got a win against the side they are chasing, RSDYuShOR. It could be an interesting couple of weeks to come in that relegation battle. After securing promotion last time out two weeks ago, Alay Osh Reserves have now secured the Title this week after winning at Energetic Kara-Kulja. They also earn a new League record of twelve matches unbeaten. Their nearest challengers of Neftchi Kochkor-Ata got a win themselves, not only defeating Adlier Kurshab, but also ending their hopes of promotion in the process. The only team who can surpass them now are FC Jalabat, who beat a Kara-Suu side that are now entrenched at the foot of the table. Going into the matches a fortnight ago, Kara-Suu were not even bottom, but two successive wins for FC Toktogul after failing to win all season before that, have now left the bottom side five points adrift.

There is a blow for the National Team ahead of the next squad selection, as striker Vitalij Lux, who has now been assigned by German club Nurnberg to their II side in the Regionalliga Bayern. Not only has he been playing, but is also amognst the goals. He has damaged a knee cap though, and is ruled out of the upcoming matches, which include the World Cup Qualifier away to Jordan. There is also a concern over Karim Izrailov, who has damaged a toe, but is expected to be fit should he suffer no further set backs. There would be a couple more important fixtures before I named my squad, the Kyrgyzstani Cup Semi-Final matches would be played six days before the squad selection was revealed. In the first of the two ties, Dordoy ensured that Alay Osh would not have an opportunity at a Double this season, beating the heavy favourites for the Title by 2-0 at the Dolena, and giving themselves an opportunity at regaining the Cup as some consolation at least. In the Final in early October, they would face Abdysh-Ata Kant, who made home advantage count in their last four match, as they put second tier Champions elect, Kara-Balta, to the sword, running out 6-2 winners.

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Friday 28th August 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Senior National Team.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifers, Asian Qualifying Section, Group Two & International Friendly.
To Play Jordan (A - Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan) (4/9/15) & Pakistan (H - Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) (8/9/15).

Goalkeepers.
Kirill Priadkin. 38 yrs old. 6'3. FK Kaisar Kyzykorda (KAZ). 8 caps/0 goals.
Maxim Agapov. 27 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 6 caps/0 goals.
Vladislav Volkov. 35 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 10 caps/0 goals.

Defenders.
Artem Mulajanov. 27 yrs old. 5'7. Alay Osh. 6 caps/0 goals.
Daniel Tagoe. 29 yrs old. 6'2. Turan Tovuz Idman Klubu (AZE). 4 caps/0 goals.
Davron Askarov. 27 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 18 caps/0 goals.
Faruh Abitov. 26 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.
Kursanbek Sheratov. 25 yrs old. 6'4. Dordoy Bishkek. 5 caps/0 goals.
Nwanko Chinedu. 24 yrs old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. 1 cap/0 goals.
Tamirlan Kozubaev. 21 yrs old. 6'4. FK Klaipeda Granitas (LTU). Uncapped.
Vadim Kharchenko. 31 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 27 caps/1 goal.

Midfielders.
Ahletdin Israilov. 20 yrs old. 5'7. Dynamo Kiev (UKR). Uncapped.
Anatolii Vlasichev. 27 yrs old. 6'0. Unattatched. 16 caps/0 goals.
Anton Zemlianukhin. 26 yrs old. 5'9. FK Radnicki Nis (SRB). 17 caps/7 goals.
Baktay Taalaybek. 23 yrs old. 6'5. Alga Bishkek. 4 goals/0 caps.
Edgar Bernhardt. 29 yrs old. 5'9. Unattatched. 7 caps/1 goal.
Karim Izrailov. 28 yrs old. 6'0. Pyunik Yerevan (ARM). 7 caps/0 goals.
Yevgeniy Malinin. 28 yrs old. 5'10. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 1 caps/0 goals.
Murat Madaliev. 27 yrs old. 5'3. FC Kara-Balta. 4 caps/1 goal.
Raul' Dzhalilov. 21 yrs old. 5'10. FK Bulat AMT Temirtau (KAZ). Uncapped.
Rustamjan Zakirov. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 5 caps/0 goals.
Viktor Maier. 25 yrs old. 6'0. SV Meppen (GER). 6 caps/0 goals.

Forwards.
Mirlan Murzaev. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Dordoy Bishkek. 15 caps/5 goals.

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The fans have joined the media in the calls for the two veteran goalkeepers to be left out of the squad. When there are better options than them to select, I'll certainly look to them. Right now, there's not even a debate to be had. Valery Kichin is suspended and out of the squad in defence, with Artem Mulajanov selected in his place. Ahletdin Israilov is available to play again after suffering an injury while playing for his the Under-23's, and will be hoping to earn his first full International cap during this window. He'll be available as a backup striker to the only out and out striker selected in the squad. This has been done as we're going to look to a slightly more defensive tactic in the game against Jordan, as our scouting has revealed that they are prone to the counter attack. Yevgeniy Malinin is the extra midfield player selected in the squad, Maka Koum and David Tetteh are both left out.

As far as squad selection went, that was the good news. The bad news had me absolutely furious though, and it came to a head when I went to select the Under-19 squad. That process would not take very long at all. When I had to select last time, we were running low on players by the time the Under-23 and Under-20 squads had been selected. This time, we were just short full stop. So short that there were only five players who were eligible for the lowest age group squad, two of them are goalkeepers, and one of them is injured. The clubs have yet to take a Youth Intake, which leaves us in a real spot. If I'd known about this earlier, I would have cancelled the two age group Friendlies without a doubt, as we are going to learn nothing with the rest of the squad filled by Grey players. If the situation isn't rectified within the next month, we are facing a hugely embarrassing situation going into the Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifiers in Kuwait.

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Friday 28th August 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-19's National Team.
International Under-19 Friendly Matches.
To Play Indonesia (A - Mandala, Jayapura, Indonesia) (3/9/15) & Pakistan (H - Dinamo, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) (7/9/15).

Goalkeepers.
Sarinji Subakojoev. 17 yrs old. 6'5. FK RemStroiZapad Ural'sk (KAZ). Capped at U-19.

Defenders.
Nurtay Kurmantay. 18 yrs old. 6'1. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.

Midfielders.
Janboto Yrysbek. 18 yrs old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-23.

Forwards.
Almaz Omoraliev. 18 yrs old. 6'1. Alay Osh. Capped at U-19.

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The following day saw the High League season end, and it would end with the players and staff of Alay Osh taking the plaudits and the prizes. They defeated Alga Bishkek by a single goal at home to complete their season with just a single defeat from the ten matches, and won the Title by two points from a Dordoy side who's final day victory was only enough to cement their runners up spot. They would end up five points in front of Alga, who in turn were seven ahead of Abdysh-Ata Kant. The fourth placed side were held at home on the final day by a Ala-Too Naryn side who ended with just four points for the season, and along with bottom side KG United, they didn't manage to win a game between the pair of them, which shows the gulf between the sides that have established themselves in the High League, and the sides who are coming up and battling to compete. KG United are relegated, and the FA announce that RSDYuShOR Bishkek are automatically relegated from Division One Zone A as a result of their Senior side coming down. That news is all the more frustrating for the Reserve side, as they had leapfrogged over Abdysh-Ata's Reserve side with a comfortable 3-1 home win over them and moved into 6th. Kara Balta had the week off, but still need just a point to win the Zone A title. In the third tier, all is now settled, as Neftchi Kochkor-Ata win to confirm their position in second place, and they will now move up to Zone A. The day also saw Nwanko Chindu suffer a concussion during Dordoy's win over KG United. He is now doubtful for the Qualifier in Jordan, but could play in the second game of the International Window at home to Pakistan in the Friendly match. As a result, he remains part of the squad, but won't travel to the Middle East.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015.

The players of both the Senior and Under-19 squads report for International duty, and then go their seperate ways. The Seniors fly out to the Middle East for a big match in the World Cup Qualifying Group against Jordan, while the age group side fly the other way, heading to SouthEast Asia for their Friendly match in Indonesia. With the Under-19 squad almost as short of players as possible, it's almost beyond belief that Ala-Too Naryn request that both Nurtay Kurmantay and Janboto Yrysbek to play no more than 45 minutes. Their season has finished, they have no more games to play. The only way those players won't see out the game is if they get injured or it's no longer viable to keep them on due to fitness levels or match sharpness.

Both matches are likely to see temperatures around the low to mid 30c area. Jordan are hot favourites to win the Qualifying match on Saturday afternoon, their Belgian manager Paul Put has just two players who earn their wages in Europe included in his squad, though Romania based striker Tha'er Fayed Bawab is widely regarded as the danger man for the nation currently ranked 92nd in the FIFA World Rankings. Much of the build up on our side centres around the inclusion of Ahletdin Israilov, and the Kyrgyzstani media ask how he is coping with the build up to the match. I let them know that he is brimming with confidence, and is looking forward to hopefully getting his first chance to show his talent on the Senior International stage.

Thursday 3rd September 2015 - 15:00pm.
International Under-19's Friendly.
Mandala, Jayapura, Indonesia.
Indonesia Under-19's v Kyrgyzstan Under-19's.
Attendance :- 323. Weather :- Breezy, 28c.

The writing looked like it was going to be on the wall for us in this match with just three minutes on the clock. After a short throw in, Indonesia were allowed to play the ball effortlessly across the park, and Muhamad Dimas Drajad played the ball to Edy Susanto, who had all the time he could wish for. Fortunately, he still didn't produce a very good shot, and Sarinji Subakojoev made the stop. With a skeleton staff of just four players who could be developed, I was fearing the worst early on. Those fears would start to subside as the match went on, and we looked in half decent shape, especially when we had the ball. We were passing it around nicely, and should have gone in front in the 12th minute. Janboto Yrysbek used his strength to create a yard of room outside the box, and slipped the ball into the path of Almaz Omoraliev. The striker was lacking game sharpness after an injury lay off, and it showed, as he blazed his shot on the turn over the bar, a more delicate touch was definitely what was required there. The 'greys' were doing their bit though, and making life difficult for Indonesia. That said, they had another chance to go in front after 28 minutes, Susanto the provider this time, lifting the ball down the channel for Rayos Kobak, the striker taking aim with a dipping effort that beat Subakojoev, but only ruffled the outside netting of the target. The back and forth continued, and before the break, our striker had an even better chance than the one he had already passed up. Bektur Jamshidov made a good tackle in midfield, and got the ball to Yrysbek. This time, he curled a through ball between the hosts defence, and Omoraliev was as clean through as you'll ever see after snapping the offside trap open. He took the ball to the edge of the box, but lost his composure once more as Irwan Ubaidillah came out to him, firing off the target, when a lob or move around the keeper was the move the situation called for.

I made no changes at the break, refusing to adhere to the ridiculous club instructions made by Ala-Too Naryn. I was satisfied with the effort from the 'greys', and I thought we still had a shot at winning this match. Yrysbek and Omoraliev were pressing very high up the park, and we were forcing them to play passes that they didn't want to make. Abdul Mahfud did just that in the 58th minute, but it sailed over the head of Salymbekov, and Kobak was away behind him. Subakojoev came out to meet him, but Kobak fired by him and into the bottom corner, and just like that, we were behind. I still refused to make changes, and we still continued to create chances. And miss them. Midway through the half, and this time on the right channel, Yrysbek made yet another through pass to Omoraliev, and on his stronger right foot, he hit another first time effort, this time the ball flying a yard the wrong side of the upright. In the 72nd minute, we did get the ball in the net. Omorzaliev curled a free kick into the box, Salymbekov flicked it on, and Nurtay Kurmantay volleyed home at the far post, but from an offside position, and the flag was raised before the ball even found the back of the net. The clock was starting to run down when Yrysbek squared the ball to Jamshidov. The midfielder sent it forward to Omoraliev, who rolled his defender and got into the box. The defender didn't give up, and his attention made the strikers left footed effort a bit more scuffed than he would have liked, but it still had enough on it to creep inside the near post. He looked nearly as relieved as his team mates who had been setting him up all afternoon. Salymbekov headed clear an injury time free kick into our penalty area, and we had got the draw that I firmly believed we deserved.

Indonesia Under-19's (0) 1 - Rayos Kobak (58)
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (0) 1 - Almaz Omoraliev (86)
Sarinji Subakojoev; Artur Bochkarev, Nurtay Kurmantay, Sergey Salymbekov, Ruslan Sagynbaev; Ivan Kharchenko, Bektur Jamshidov; Alexandr Samsaliev, Janboto Yrysbek, Davron Aziz; Almaz Omoraliev (capt).
Unused Substitutes :- Farkhat Dolzhenko, Akim Mirzaliev (GK), Vladimir Otkeev, Murat Abdurahmanov, Rakhat Bochkarev, Elijah Chotbaev.
Possession :- 37% - 63%. Shots on Target :- 2 - 2. Man of the Match :- Janboto Yrysbek (Kyrgyzstan Under-19's).

I think that performance was much more pleasing that I had any right to expect. I was expecting very little, and the players put in a decent performance for us. The selected players put in a really good shift, particularly Janboto Yrysbek, who had a great match in the shadow striker role. They'll have another chance to show what they can do in a few days time when they return home to face their counterparts from Pakistan in another Friendly. However, we really need some reinforcements for the trip to Kuwait in a couple of weeks. If we have to go this shorthanded, our ambitions will be limited to avoiding big defeats.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

From Indonesia, the attention would switch right across to the other side of the continent, and the Middle East, where we would play the third of our eight games in Group Two of our World Cup Qualifying schedule. Realistically, we're likely to be fighting against todays opponents, Jordan, and our next door neighbours, Tajikistan, for the runners-up spot, and the opportunity to be one of those four nations that Qualify from second place. As such, today's game is going to be a big one.

Friday 4th September 2015 - 15:00pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan.
Jordan v Kyrgyzstan.
Attendance :- 14,868. Weather :- Breezy, 35c.

I had planned on setting my team up in a defensive 4-2-3-1 formation, but the day before the match, I found out that Jordan were going to likely play with two strikers and two attacking wingers. I also didn't have two players capable of playing the defensive midfield anchor role to a sufficient standard, so instead, I went with a back five, a holding defensive midfielder in front of them, and then three across the middle with a lone striker. It meant a debut for Tamirlan Kozubaev in defence, with Artem Mulajanov filling in at left back for the suspended Valery Kichin. It's Rustamjan Zakirov who is selected in the defensive midfield role, and despite being without a club and being short of match fitness, Edgar Bernhardt starts on the right wing. Mirlan Murzaev will be the lone striker, with Ahletdin Israilov on the bench.

Setup to counter attack, and clearly here to frustrate our hosts, it looked like things were going to be difficult when the Malaysian referee booked Vadim Kharchenko after just seven minutes. It rules him out of the home match with Australia next month, but in the more immediate future, it leaves him having to be very careful for the next 84 minutes of this match, where we're likely to be on the backfoot for large periods. We were as well, but that didn't mean we were being over run, and in fact, Jordan created only one real opportunity in the first half, Khalil Bani Attiah swung in a corner, Shadi Abu Hash'hash powered a downward header towards the target. Vladislav Volkov got a hand onto it, but not enough to divert it from goal, fortunately, Kharchenko was on the line, and he thumped the ball away from danger.

I told the players that they were doing a great job when they came in at the break, and I told them to keep the concentration levels high. If we could do that, we might be able to get our flight home with something from this game. Jordan's players had clearly been given a stern word from their Belgian boss Paul Put during that interval, as they came out with guns blazing in the second half. They pulled our players all over the final third of the park as they attempted to find a way through, but were met with players willing to throw themselves in front of the ball to block shots, and be brave in the air to clear crosses. They resorted to shooting from range, and Alaa' Al-Shaqran let a piledriver go from twenty five yards out, Volkov got a good look at it and pushed it away from danger. As the hour approached, we had a rare excursion upfield, and Karim Izrailov sent in a corner towards the edge of the box, Tamirlan Kozubaev brought it down, but his attempted shot was well blocked. Paul Put changed his personnel around in the 63rd minute, making all three changes, one each in defence, midfield, and attack. I waited a little longer, but by the 70th minute, I had some very tired players, and removed both Edgar Bernhardt and Karim Izrailov, replacing them with a pair of debutants who had already seen Under-23 action under my management, Ahletdin Israilov and Raul' Dzhalilov. I'd saved a change back, but with just over ten minutes to go, Anton Zemlianukhin had no more left to give, and Yevgeniy Malinin replaced him, the first time I had used the centre midfielder. In the dying moments of injury time, we had Jordan right where we wanted them, pushed back into their own half. That was until Ahletdin Israilov tried to get too cute on the corner of their box, and Mohammed Al-Dmeiri robbed him of possession and switched the ball to the right wing and found substitute speedster Ra'ed Al- Nawateer. Our defence back pedalled frantically, but the winger's cross flew harmlessly into the near side netting, and we had done enough to earn a point.

Jordan (0) 0
Kyrgyzstan (0) 0
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Davron Askarov (capt), Tamirlan Kozubaev, Daniel Tagoe, Artem Mulajanov; Rustamjan Zakirov; Edgar Bernhardt (Ahletdin Israilov 70), Anton Zemlianukhin (Yevgeniy Malinin 79), Karim Izrailov (Raul' Dzhalilov 70); Mirlan Murzaev.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Kursanbek Sheratov, Anatolii Vlasichev, Murat Madaliev, Baktay Taalaybek, Viktor Maier, Kirill Priadkin (GK).
Possession :- 58% - 42%. Shots on Target :- 4 - 0. Man of the Match :- Vladislav Volkov (Kyrgyzstan).

Boring. Dull. Unadventurous. The media called us all the names under the sun after that performance. Well, the media outside the borders of Kyrgyzstan of course. Our own media were almost as delighted as I was. We took an approach that the lads had zero time to get used to, and we defended for our lives to gain a point that very few gave us any chance of getting. Very few people shared our optimism for this Qualifying Group, but with four points from our opening three fixtures, and two of them being away from home, I think we're ahead of the game so far. The media were also forced to give some credit to 35 year old keeper Vladislav Volkov, who came away with the man of the match award after the press had been fairly vocal in their opinions that he shouldn't be in the squad at all.

In the continued fall out from the match, the fans used forums and social media to declare themselves very pleased with the result in Jordan, though there was some critisism of Edgar Bernhardt's performance. I was asked about that in my press conference, and defended the winger, telling everyone that he was asked to play a defensive winger role that is not generally his game, and he was lacking match fitness as he is currently without a club. With all that considered, I told them that I thought he had done a good job. Rustamjan Zakirov spoke after the game, declaring that the squad were very pleased with the result, and also stating that the mood in the squad is very good after securing that result. There is also confirmation that Vadim Kharchenko is suspended for the next Qualifier, the home game with Australia. As that fixture is part of a double header with the home fixture against Tajikistan, a decision will need to be made on the merits of including Kharchenko in the next squad, knowing he will only be available for one match.

A trio of young players made their Senior International debuts in that match, and there's no reason why there shouldn't be many more caps for all three of them. Ahletdin Israilov went public with his thanks, and vowed to make his country proud in the future. If we can find a few more good young players like Israilov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, and Raul' Dzhalilov, we'll be in good hands over the coming years. On Sunday morning, I was contacted by the media, and asked for my views on what would become a bizarre chain of events that would cause large waves in Kyrgyztani domestic football.........

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

While we were earning a point in Jordan, there were a host of other World Cup Qualifying matches going on across the continent. In our Group, there was another defeat for Bangladesh, as they were beaten 3-0 at home to Tajikistan. In the other Groups, there were some clashes between some of Asia's bigger nations, and in Group One, it was the United Arab Emirates who came out on top in their home fixture with Saudi Arabia. In Group Three, it was a case of what might have been for Qatar. They took the lead three times against China in Doha, and each time, they were pegged back, with the game ending in a draw. Group Four saw Iran drop more points, this time at home to Oman, while Turkmenistan took the points home from India. There were a pair of comfortable victories in Group Five, with Japan scoring four unanswered first half goals in Cambodia, while Singapore beat Afghanistan 2-0 at home. Iraq survived a scare at home to Chinese Taipei in Group Six, eventually coming away with the points, while Indonesia caused a minor shock by beating Thailand at home. There was Middle Eastern domination in Group Seven, as Lebanon beat Laos at home, and Kuwait won in Myanmar. Finally in Group Eight, there were two away wins as Uzbekistan won in Bahrain, and the Philippines won by a single goal in North Korea.

I was preparing the National Under-19's side for their home Friendly against Pakistan on Monday when the phone rang. It was a reporter from Eurosport, which immediately struck me as strange. The Continent wide broadcaster don't generally have too much to do with football in Asia on a day to day basis. The reporter who called me was a Greek gent by the name of Angelos Chourouzidis, and he revealed the purpose of his call, and the slightly tenuous European link that made it his business. He told me that he had it on good authority that the dethroned Kyrgyzstani Champions of Dordoy Bishkek were about to sack their Serbian manager, Zavisa Milosavljevic, and would be offering me the opportunity to replace him at the club. He asked me if I would be interested in such an offer from Dordoy. I answered as truthfully as I could when caught entirely by surprise, saying that it's not everyday that the chance to manage one of the biggest club sides in the country comes around, and I would certainly have to give it due consideration.

Within hours, a story on World Soccer's website appeared, spun as they often are by media, and using a great deal of artist's license to embelish certain facts, they headlined their story that I wanted the top club job in Kyrgyzstan. Clearly, Chourouzidis figured the story would get more bang for it's buck on the World Soccer site than it would for Eurosport, and had passed, or sold, the information on. It was late on Sunday afternoon when the story was posted. By Monday morning, Dordoy had released a statement saying that they would certainly be interested in the services of the National Team manager, but they would not be discussing it while they had Milosavljevic in place. By lunchtime, he wasn't in place, as the Serb who had previously managed Pakistan and Lesotho, had been sacked by the League runners-up.

I didn't want to appear unsympathetic in anyway, but I did register my interest in the job fairly quickly after the news that the job was available. It was good to get a quick reply back, it was strange that it said the job was not available, and the vacancy had been filled, but thanking me for my interest all the same. The reason became apparent quite soon afterwards, as Dordoy announced that they had a new manager, and to the shock of football fans in Kyrgyzstan, he wouldn't have very far to travel. While all the speculation about me taking over was going on, they moved to poach 43 year old Nurzat Kadyrkulov from their rivals, Alga Bishkek. I'd been used as a distraction by Dordoy, enabling them to fly under the radar and get the signature of the man they had really wanted all along. Not only that, but Kadyrkulov would do the job for just £70 a week. Don't forget, I was offered five times that by Ala-Too Naryn a couple of months ago to become their new manager when they were battling relegation!

It was a relief to get back to International football after all that, and at some point down the line, there may well be an opportunity to either apply again for the Dordoy job, or take a job somewhere else and make it my goal to pay them back for their behaviour. While all that was going on, Ala-Too Naryn once more requested that Nurtay Kurmantay and Janboto Yrysbek play no more than 45 minutes. And once more, there is every chance that request will be ignored. The requests from the sides supplying players to the Senior National side make more sense. FK Bulat of Kazakhstan have a fixture on the weekend, and have asked that Raul' Dzahlilov play no more than 45 minutes. He has been pencilled in to start the match, so we'll see how that one goes. Dordoy's full back Nwanko Chinedu is available to play, but has only just returned from a concussion, so that obviously has to be taken into consideration with their request for him to play no more than a half of football. Baktay Taalaybek is not a regular starter for Alga Bishkek, and is now at Neftchi Kochkor-Ata on loan and they don't have another fixture scheduled for a month, so their request for him to play no more than a half is likely to be given less priority.

Monday 7th September 2015 - 19:30pm.
International Under-19's Friendly.
Dinamo, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's v Pakistan Under-19's.
Attendance :- 243. Weather :- 16c.

I didn't even know this stadium existed until we started the preparations for this match. A 10,000 capacity stadium with no seats, located in the Capital, and no one is using it. And yet there are clubs that potentially have to decline promotion into the top tier as they don't have the facilities to be accepted. What a waste. Of course, it's not full today, not even 2.5% of it's capacity is used. The starting lineup is the same that began the match in Indonesia, though this time I will have to use the players on the bench at some point I suspect.

Those who did turn up saw us play some nice football in the early stages, before taking the lead in the 18th minute. Some crisp, short passing, earned us a way through the Pakistan defence, and Janboto Yrysbek continued where he had left off in the last match, by teeing up Almar Omoraliev. His short, diaganol pass from the edge of the box, was weighted beautifully, and the striker latched onto it, and then lifted it over the oncoming keeper. It looked like he might have got just too much on it, but it clipped the underside of the cross bar, and dropped into the net. The striker who is going to be leading us in competitve matches next month is starting to find some form now. Unfortunately, that was where the good news pretty much ended. Pakistan were level within a few minutes, as Shahid Bashir was allowed to run, and run, and run. He got to the corner of the box, and squared it to Amir Akram, and he unselfishly passed it along to Habib Aftab, who couldn't miss. Ivan Kharchenko was lucky to avoid a booking for his long and loud protests to the assistant, as he felt there was an offside. Aftab would almost notch another ten minutes before the break, as he connected with Akram's free kick into the box, his volley was pushed away with a fine stop by Sarinji Subakojoev.

I didn't make any changes at the break, while our visitors made just one in their back four. A member of our back four would pick up the first booking just two minutes after the restart, right back Artur Bochkarev carded for a shirt pull. Pakistan had gone on to change a midfielder, striker, and goalkeeper by the time the 71st minute arrived, and I decided to make my changes en masse. I used five of my substitutes, with all three of my outfield selected players replaced, leaving Subakojoev as the only player left on the park that I had actually selected. Pakistan made another couple of changes, and the flow of the match was badly disrupted. The game looked to be heading to a quiet conclusion as injury time approached, until Kharchenko flattened Ayub Habib with a poorly timed challenge. The ref put his whistle to his lips, but changed his mind and waved play on as Pakistan sprung forward. Aftab sent the ball to the left for Ayub Khan, and then got the ball back to him, and sent it into the path of Jahangir Shahzad's run, and the sub slotted it low under our keepers dive, and won the match for Pakistan with a 90th minute strike. The ref noticeably had a word with Kharchenko. There's no doubt if he had whistled the match dead, our midfielder would have been sent off. That would have been better for us.

Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (1) 1 - Almaz Omoraliev (18)
Pakistan Under-19's (1) 2 - Habib Aftab (22), Jahangir Shahzad (90)
Sarinji Subakojoev; Artur Bochkarev, Nurtay Kurmantay (Farkhat Dolzhenko 71), Sergey Salymbekov, Ruslan Sagynbaev; Ivan Kharchenko, Bektur Jamshidov; Alexandr Samsaliev (Vladimir Otkeev 71), Janboto Yrysbek (Elijah Chotbaev 71), Davron Aziz (Murat Abdurahmanov 71); Almaz Omoraliev (capt - Rakhat Bochkarev 71).
Unused Substitute :- Akim Mirzaliev (GK).
Possession :- 60% - 40%. Shot on Target :- 3 - 5. Man of the Match :- Habib Aftab (Pakistan Under-19's).

That one was a little tough to take, as it was a nation we should easily be beating in my opinion, and if we had the players available that we could have called on last time the Under-19's were together, I feel pretty sure that we would have done so. As far as the future goes for the Under-19's, it's now a waiting game to see if there are going to be any more players available than this to travel with us to Kuwait. We can only hope and pray that the clubs get a Youth Intake before I have to select the squad, which has a deadline of Saturday 26th September. Only a few weeks away, I'm not too optimistic. Even if it does happen, we'll likely be picking blindly. The players who have been with us leave the base and return to their clubs right after the match. Despite not being able to pick up a win, there has been a lift in the squads morale overall.

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

The Under-20's have another fixture added to their schedule, you'll be pleased to know I checked there will be at least a squad of players to select before I accepted the challenge from Malaysia. Our second youngest age group side would travel to play them on Monday 16th November, with the game scheduled to be held at Bandaraya Pulau Pinang, a 21,000 capacity venue in George Town, which is home to second tier side Penang. That was the good news on matchday morning. The bad news came hours before the match, when Ahletdin Israilov was forced to miss out on the Friendly match against Pakistan through illness. That was a real disappointment, he was pencilled in start the match as striker, and the lad was really unfortunate to miss out in that way.

Tuesday 8th September 2015 - 19:30pm.
International Friendly.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Pakistan.
Attendance :- 3,944. Weather :- Breezy, 17c.

As planned, I reverted us back to our normal 4-2-3-1 system for this match, and made a glut of personnel changes to have a look at some other players as we faced the nation ranked 172nd in the World Rankings. Maxim Agapov would have an opportunity to show what he could do in goal, while Faruh Abitov would play at right back, a good chance to check the form of the defender who would now likely be in the starting role here against Australia next month. Artem Mulajanov continued at left back with Nwanko Chinedu not fit enough to start the match, while Tamirlan Kozubaev remained in the side at centre half, pairing up with Kursanbek Sheratov. In the midfield, there was a new pairing of Yevegniy Malinin and the still clubless Anatolii Vlasichev. Ahead of them, Viktor Maier would play right wing, Baktay Taalaybek would take over Anton Zemlianukhin in the shadow striker position, with Raul' Dzhalilov making a first start on the left after making his debut from the bench last time around in Amman. With Ahletdin Israilov's late withdrawl, Mirlan Murzaev leads the side up front, and takes the Captain's armband as well.

It was clear from the outset that Pakistan were nowhere near as good as us. They were struggling all over the park from a very early stage, and it looked a matter of time before the first goal went in. Yevgeniy Malinin was pulling the strings in the middle of the park, and in the 13th minute, he uprooted himself and popped up on the right side of the field. He took a short pass from Faruh Abitov, and then swung a delicious cross into the box. It cut out a whole host of players, and found Raul' Dzhalilov, who had made a lung busting run to get on the end of it, a run that wasn't matched by the defence, and he slotted home his first goal for his country. Those two players were having a really good time, and Malinin cut out a sloppy pass in the midfield in the 19th minute, and immediately set Dzhalilov away down the left wing, putting the ball right into his stride. The winger breezed by a defender, and then sent a cross to the far post, where the other wide man, Viktor Maier, was on hand to side foot home and open his own account in International football.

At this point, any number seemed possible, and we almost had another a minute later, Maier's corner picking out Tamirlan Kozubaev, and his effort found the side netting. Maybe we got a little over confident, as midway through the half, Abil Nabi dispossessed Anatolii Vlasichev, and sent the ball over Artem Mulajanov's head and into the right channel. Dordoy striker Khan Kaleemullah raced onto it, rounded Maxim Agapov, and slid the ball home to half the arrears. I was worried my players were losing focus, and with ten minutes left before the break, we were lucky not to be pegged back by Pakistan, as Hamed Naseer Bakish ran from right back and produced a cross that picked out Kaleemullah, this time the striker saw his effort rattle back off the upright. Moments later, and I was able to put it down to a purple patch for the visitors, as normal service was resumed. Firstly, Mirlan Murzaev's cross found Baktay Taalaybek, but his shot was blocked a superb defensive tackle. Then Murzaev took down a long clearance, and played it to Dzhalilov. The winger stepped inside his marker, and found Vlasichev. He squared it to the unmarked Malinin, who took a touch or two to set himself up, and then let fly with a curling shot that was set a couple of yards outside the target, and then curled delightfully inside the post past Muhammad Imran Iqbal. It was a stunning goal, and he joined the list of players scoring their first goal for Kyrgyzstan in this game, and it was his birthday as well. And we weren't quite finished yet, as Dzhalilov planned a cross from the left, but overhit it. That caused Iqbal a real problem, and he had to react to get back and push the ball against the cross bar. He was left laying in the net from his efforts, and soon had company in the shape of the ball, and Murzaev strode in and fired home the easiest goal he is ever likely to score.

A 4-1 lead, and the match as a contest would appear over, but I told the players not to relax, as we had a chance to show everyone what we could really do. They started the second half looking intent on doing just that, Dzhalilov sending in a cross, and Murzaev heading the ball against the frame of the goal. I made a trio of changes just after the hour mark, with Vlasichev, Taalaybek and Dzhalilov replaced by Murat Madaliev, Anton Zemlianukhin and Karim Izrailov. Moments after the changes, Agapov was back in action, having to make a smart stop from Saleem Jan after Kaleemullah and Nabi worked a way through our defence. Madaliev's appearance from the bench would prove to be a short one, barely ten minutes. He was taken off with a knock, and Rustamjan Zakirov came on, with two defenders changed at the same time, Kursanbek Sheratov and Mulajanov replaced by Daniel Tagoe and Nwanko Chinedu. But Pakistan were not laying down, and after some nice play from Sarwar Waqas and Abdul Rashid, the latter found Nabi, who found the bottom corner while my defence stood with their arms up appealing for an offsie decision that didn't come. That goal threatened to take the shine off our win, but Murzaev gave it another clean up and polish with a late strike for his second of the match, Maier's second attempt at the cross was right onto the strikers right boot, and he got way too much power for Hazrat Nadeem to be able to keep it out, despite getting a piece of it.

Kyrgyzstan (4) 5 - Raul' Dzhalilov (13), Viktor Maier (19), Yevgeniy Malinin (38), Mirlan Murzaev (45,90+2)
Pakistan (1) 2 - Kaleemullhah (23), Abil Nabi (81)
Maxim Agapov; Faruh Abitov, Kuranbek Sheratov (Daniel Tagoe 72), Tamirlan Kozubaev, Artem Mulajanov (Nwanko Chinedu 72); Yevgeniy Malinin , Anatolii Vlasichev (Murat Madaliev 61 (inj Rustamjan Zakirov 72)); Viktor Maier, Baktay Taalaybek (Anton Zemlianukhin 61), Raul' Dzhalilov (Karim Izrailov 61); Mirlan Murzaev (capt).
Unused Substitutes :- Vadim Kharchenko, Kirill Priadkin (GK), Davron Askarov, Edgar Bernhardt, Vladislav Volkov (GK)
Possession :- 61% - 39%. Shots on Target :- 11 - 5. Man of the Match :- Yevgeniy Malinin (Kyrgyzstan).

From a purely attacking point of view, that was easily the best the Senior side had looked since I had been in charge. Yevgeniy Malinin was selected in the first ever squad I had to pick, then missed out through injury, and Murat Madaliev took his chance. Malinin has just provided a very timely reminder of what we've missed out on by not selecting him. He was superb in the middle of the park, and while I often disagree with the man of the match award, I have no complaints this time. Raul' Dzhalilov injected some pace into the side as well, and also had a really impressive game. It's just such a shame that Ahletdin Israilov missed out on the opportunity. Mirlan Murzaev has now brought himself level once more with Anton Zemlianukhin as the nations all time record International goalscorer. We didn't look so impressive at the back, and it was sloppy to allow Pakistan to almost force their way back into the match on two seperate occassions.

With the International Window now over for ourselves, World Soccer suggested that the confidence taken from those two results may mean that Australia and Tajikistan find their trip to Bishkek is a tougher assignment than they might have hoped. For me, I think we have to aim to try and get something from Australia if at all possible, and then beat Tajikistan. If we can manage that, we'll certainly be able to look at having a good chance of making it into the next phase of the Qualifying process. Of course, it's easier said than done, but I feel we're heading in the right direction. The mood in the camp is great. Australia have beaten Bangladesh 3-0 in Perth, while Jordan beat Tajikistan by the same score in Dushanbe, a result that has to give us motivation that we can beat our neighbours at the Dolena next month.

FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Up to & Including Tuesday 8th September 2015.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   | 
 
| 1st   |       | Australia  | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 5     | 0     | 5     | 9     | 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 2nd   |       | Jordan     | 3     | 2     | 1     | 0     | 6     | 0     | 6     | 7     | 

| 3rd   |       | Kyrgyzstan | 3     | 1     | 1     | 1     | 2     | 1     | 1     | 4     | 

| 4th   |       | Tajikistan | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 3     | 4     | -1    | 3     | 

| 5th   |       | Bangladesh | 4     | 0     | 0     | 4     | 0     | 11    | -11   | 0     | 

Remaining Fixtures:-
Friday 9th October 2015.
Jordan v Bangladesh
Kyrgyzstan v Australia

Tuesday 13th October 2015.
Jordan v Australia
Kyrgyzstan v Tajikistan

Friday 13th November 2015.
Australia v Tajikistan
Bangladesh v Kyrgyzstan

Tuesday 17th November 2015.
Kyrgyzstan v Jordan
Tajikistan v Bangladesh

Wednesday 23rd March 2016.
Bangladesh v Australia
Jordan v Tajikistan

Saturday 26th March 2016.
Australia v Jordan
Tajikistan v Kyrgyzstan

 

[neilhoskins77]

September 2015 (cont).

After being beaten by the United Arab Emirates, the fortunes of Saudi Arabia did not improve too much on the next matchday, after they were held to a draw at home by Palestine. Some were now saying this Saudi side was one of the worst in decades. Elsewhere in the Groups, there were relatively comfortable wins for the most part. China and Qatar beat Bhutan and Hong Kong respectively in Group Three, while in Group Four, it was a case of leaving it late for Iran, an 88th minute winner getting them by Guam in Tehran. In the same Group, there was a home win for Oman over Turkmenistan. The next three Groups all saw both matches end in the same score. In Group Five, the score of choice was 3-0, Syria winning in Afghanistan, and Japan home winners over Singapore despite spending a large part of the match with ten men. In Group Six, there were 2-1 wins for Iraq in Thailand, where they had to come from behind, and Vietnam did exactly the same at home to Indonesia. There was less scoring to be found in Group Seven, though one match was a particularly important one, as South Korea travelled to Kuwait and came away with a 1-0 win, while Laos did the same at home to Myanmar. And finally Group Eight, where the goals flowed. North Korea delighted nearly 32,000 in Pyongyang, defeating Yemen 3-0. Uzbekistan were very comfortable winners in the Philippines, recording a 4-1 win.

Maybe it's just the way the fixtures are spaced out so much, but returning to domestic football in Kyrgyzstan is almost like getting back to peace and quiet after a noisy weekend, or in this case, a noisy International Window. A quote from Aleksandr Moskalenko, the 39 year old manager of Kazakhstan club Bulat, suggests he is unconcerned by Raul' Dzhalilov playing more time than he requested in the match against Pakistan earlier in the week. That may well be down to the winger enjoying a very good outing on his first start for his country, and he also got on the scoresheet as well. Possibly, if he hadn't had such a good game, the quote may have been of an entirely different tone.

FC Kara-Balta managed to get the point they needed to become Division One Zone A Champions for the second successive season. In an absolutely manic first half, Kara-Balta were two up inside five minutes at home to Dordoy Reserves, but it was 2-2 by the 8th minute. By the midway point of the half, it was 3-3. There was no more scoring after that, but it doesn't look like Kara-Balta will be moving up into the top tier. It's starting to look like the team who goes up to replace KG United will be the highest placed eligible club. With two more rounds of matches to play, the favourites for that spot would be Zhivoye Pivo Kant if that is indeed the case. It's also uncertain whether one or two other clubs will join RSDYuShOR through the trap door into Zone B. The battle is still continuing either way, as Alga-Chuy get a win over the already relegated club to move level on points with FC Belovodsk, who do not play this weekend. Those two will meet in a fortnight, and the loser is almost certain to go down.

In midweek, the latest issue of the FIFA World Rankings are released, and we move up again, this time by another two spots to 147th, and we also move above neighbours and World Cup Qualifying rivals, Tajikistan, just a few weeks before we meet. Montenegro are the highest risers, moving up 13 spots to 62nd. Germany remain top of the Rankings, with Argentina second, and Holland, Belgium and Spain showing European domination in the top five. England are joint seventh, Wales are 11th, Northern Ireland joint 34th, Scotland 37th and Republic of Ireland joint 45th. Iran are the highest ranked nation representing Asia, currently in 42nd position.

FIFA World Rankings. Correct As Of Wednesday 16th September 2015.

| Rank           | Name                 | Continent      | Change         | Points         | 
 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 140th          | Afghanistan          | Asia           | -5             | 202            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 141st          | Kazakhstan           | Europe         | -5             | 201            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 142nd          | Guinea-Bissau        | Africa         | -1             | 200            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 143rd          | Singapore            | Asia           | 3              | 190            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 144th          | Swaziland            | Africa         |     -          | 185            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 145th          | Curaçao              | North America  | 2              | 184            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 146th          | Nicaragua            | North America  | -1             | 183            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 147th          | Kyrgyzstan           | Asia           | 2              | 181            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 148th          | Thailand             | Asia           | -5             | 180            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 149th          | Tajikistan           | Asia           | -1             | 178            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 150th          | Turkmenistan         | Asia           | -1             | 177            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 151st          | Puerto Rico          | North America  | 1              | 175            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 152nd          | Liberia              | Africa         | 4              | 173            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 153rd          | The Gambia           | Africa         | -2             | 170            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 154th          | Liechtenstein        | Europe         | 5              | 168            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 155th          | Guyana               | North America  | -1             | 165            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 156th          | Luxembourg           | Europe         | -3             | 157            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 157th          | Hong Kong (China PR) | Asia           | -2             | 156            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 
| 158th          | India                | Asia           | -2             | 153            | 
| -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| 

Zone A would play out it's penultimate round of matches on Saturday 26th September, and the big match was at the foot of the table, where Alga-Chuy and FC Belovodsk played out a 1-1 draw, which meant nothing was resolved there. We're no closer to knowing how the FA will decide who will take KG United's place in the top tier, or indeed who it will be. If, as suspected, it is going to be one of the Kant clubs, then neither did themselves any favours today. Both were beaten away from home against Reserve sides, and that will have to wait to the final day to be decided as well.

The month ends with two squads to be named. The Under-19 squad that will go to Kuwait has just one player to be added from the last time I named a squad for the age group, and that's another goalkeeper. It's a massive disappointment, and it means our Asian Under-19 Championships Qualifying campaign is unlikely to be anything other than a write off this time around. Obviously, there is very little I can do about it, but that doesn't make it any less annoying.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 26th September 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-19's National Team.
Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifying, Group E.
To Play Palestine (N - 2/10/15), Kuwait (A - 6/10/15) & United Arab Emirates (N - 10/10/15) at Mubarak Al-Ayaar Stadium, Al-Jahra, Kuwait.

Goalkeepers.
Georgiy Slavnyi. 18 yrs old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Sarinji Subakojoev. 17 yrs old. 6'5. FK RemStroiZapad Ural'sk (KAZ). Capped at U-19.

Defenders.
Nurtay Kurmantay. 18 yrs old. 6'1. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.

Midfielders.
Janboto Yrysbek. 18 yrs old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-23.

Forwards.
Almaz Omoraliev. 18 yrs old. 6'1. Alay Osh. Capped at U-19.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also needed by the end of the month is the squad for the upcoming home World Cup Qualifying double header against Australia and Tajikistan. It's not quite a clean bill of health, but it's not too bad. Vitalij Lux is out, as is centre back Kursanbek Sheratov. The biggest decision to make is whether right back Vadim Kharchenko is going to be included in the squad with the knowledge that he is suspended for the Australia match. He is one of our most experienced players, and I can't leave him out. He's in.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friday 28th August 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Senior National Team.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifers, Asian Qualifying Section, Group Two.
To Play Australia (H - 9/10/15) & Tajikistan (H - 13/10/15) at Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Goalkeepers.
Kirill Priadkin. 38 yrs old. 6'3. FK Kaisar Kyzykorda (KAZ). 8 caps/0 goals.
Maxim Agapov. 27 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.
Vladislav Volkov. 35 yrs old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 11 caps/0 goals.

Defenders.
Daniel Tagoe. 29 yrs old. 6'2. Turan Tovuz Idman Klubu (AZE). 6 caps/0 goals.
Davron Askarov. 27 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 19 caps/0 goals.
Faruh Abitov. 26 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 8 caps/0 goals.
Nwanko Chinedu. 24 yrs old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. 2 cap/0 goals.
Shuhrat Rahmonov. 27 yrs old. 6'2. Alay Osh. 1 cap/0 goals.
Tamirlan Kozubaev. 21 yrs old. 6'4. FK Klaipeda Granitas (LTU). 2 caps/0 goals.
Vadim Kharchenko. 31 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 28 caps/1 goal.
Valery Kichin. 22 yrs old. 5'11. FC Tyumen (RUS). 18 caps/0 goals.

Midfielders.
Ahletdin Israilov. 21 yrs old. 5'7. Dynamo Kiev (UKR). 1 cap/0 goals.
Anton Zemlianukhin. 26 yrs old. 5'9. FK Radnicki Nis (SRB). 19 caps/7 goals.
Baktay Taalaybek. 23 yrs old. 6'5. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. 5 goals/0 caps.
Edgar Bernhardt. 29 yrs old. 5'9. Unattatched. 8 caps/1 goal.
Karim Izrailov. 28 yrs old. 6'0. Pyunik Yerevan (ARM). 9 caps/0 goals.
Murat Madaliev. 27 yrs old. 5'3. FC Kara-Balta. 5 caps/1 goal.
Raul' Dzhalilov. 21 yrs old. 5'10. FK Bulat AMT Temirtau (KAZ). 2 caps/1 goal.
Rustamjan Zakirov. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 7 caps/0 goals.
Viktor Maier. 25 yrs old. 6'0. SV Meppen (GER). 7 caps/1 goal.
Yevgeniy Malinin. 29 yrs old. 5'10. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 3 caps/1 goal.

Forwards.
David Tetteh. 30 yrs old. 5'11. Dordoy Bishkek. 10 caps/3 goals.
Mirlan Murzaev. 25 yrs old. 6'0. Dordoy Bishkek. 15 caps/5 goals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It says a lot about Vladislav Volkov's performance against Jordan at the start of the month that when the squad is selected this time, the press focus entirely on the selection of Kirill Priadkin for critisism this time around. Baktay Taalaybek has taken a pay drop to move from Alga Bishkek, where he wasn't getting any First Team football, down to Zone B runner's-up Neftchi Kochkor-Ata, where is likely to be one of the star players. If I were in charge of a domestic club right now, I can honestly say he would be one of the first players I'd be looking to bring in. And he's only earning £20 a week! David Tetteh is brought back into the squad as a backup striker, getting the nod in front of around four or five others.

September wasn't quite done with me yet. For the first time, I had my name linked with a club from outside of Kyrgyzstan, and a club with a fairly big reputation as well. Dinamo Minsk are a huge historical club in Eastern Europe, but they have not won a trophy now for over ten years. With five games remaining, they have had to concede once more, as BATE Borisov have taken their tenth consecutive League Title. Even the poor relations of the city, FC Minsk, could yet finish above Dinamo. Owner Yuriy Tchizh is in love with his football club, and wants things to change, and change quickly. It might be a project that's interesting enough to tempt me into club football, but I'd be surprised if it happens.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015.

October was going to be a very busy month, with our various National Teams playing six matches in a spell of twelve days. Half of them would be played by the Under-19's threadbare squad in it's first competitive action since I took over, as the young players are out in Kuwait where they will bid to Qualify for the Asian Under-19 Championships. There would be two important World Cup Qualifiers in Bishkek for the Senior side, and there would be a Friendly for the Under-20's in Indonesia. We won't be waiting very long to get started though, as the Under-19's get underway on the second day of the month.

Friday 2nd October 2015 - 15:00pm.
Asian Under-19 Championships Qualifier, Group E.
Mubarak Al-Ayaar Stadium, Al-Jahra, Kuwait.
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's v Palestine Under-19's.
Attendance :- 372. Weather :- 21c.

Even as the rank outsiders to get through the Qualification process in this Group, and with just six players that I've picked myself, there is still an air of optimism in the dressing room before our first match in Kuwait. It's a feeling that is replicated across the globe when a new season begins, and while of course this is just a three game competition, the feeling that anything is possible prevails. There are no selection decisions to be made of note, Sarinji Subokojoev is selected to start in goal in front of Georgiy Slavnyi, though I would like to get Slavnyi some game time during the tournament as well. I'm not sure if it's a positive or not at this point, but the grey players who were with us for the recent Friendly double header against Indonesia and Pakistan, are remaining with us for this Group schedule.

It was a fairly frantic start to the match, but I wasn't complaining when we got ourselves ahead in the fifth minute. If we get the ball up the park to our two best players, we'll be in good hands, and our players were certainly buying into that. Bektur Jamshidov fed the ball to Janboto Yrysbek. The big shadow striker fed the ball into the box, but it was just a little too far ahead of Almaz Omoraliev, and the strikers effort was blocked well by Barakaat Al-Jamal. Unfortunately for him, he got no help from his defence, and Yrysbek toe poked the loose ball into the bottom corner. Amir Nasser Al-Din would try his best to bring Palestine back into the game, and he got past Ruslan Sagynbaev and sent a cross into the far post, and picked out Sammekh Othman, who headed against the cross bar. As we pushed on, we always looked vulnerable on the counter, and Othman was clean through in the 21st minute, but Sarinji Subakojoev stood strong, and pushed his shot away. In the 24th minute, we counter attacked ourselves, and Nurtay Kurmantay sent a long ball through their defence. Omoraliev looked like he might be offside, but he had timed his run perfectly, and rounded the keeper before slotting in our second.

We came very close to adding to our lead as the half hour approached, Yrysbek waltzed through the Palestine defence, but ruined the good work with a poor finish. Ivan Kharchenko was booked in the 33rd minute, and from the free kick, the ball was played to Othman, the striker taking this chance, stepping inside Kurmantay and then sliding a low shot across goal that just about found the net inside the far post. But they wouldn't have that lead trimmed for too long, as the next time a cross came in the ball was headed straight back out, and Davron Aziz had all kinds of space down the left wing. He lifted it down the touchline, where Omoraliev had run, and the striker moved into the box from the left. Support was arriving quickly and he picked out Alexandr Samsaliev, the winger thumping a shot at goal, Al-Jamal making the save by pushing the ball against the base of his own post, but the ball came right back and hit him before trickling across the goal line to restore our two goal advantage. The ball barely reached the back of the net, but I didn't care about that. Artur Bochkarev's booking late in the half couldn't take the shine from what had been a very good first half.

I told the players they had been superb in the first half, but that they couldn't afford to be complacent in the second half if we were going to see this through and get off to a winning start. Complacent was exactly what they were though, and in the 53rd minute, Ayed Zidan rose almost unchallenged to head home Nasser Al-Din's inswinging corner kick to reduce the arrears once again. They were now all over us, and another looked inevitable, and it should have arrived when Othman broke out offside trap once again, but his fired his shot right at a relieved Subakojoev. It did come on the hour, sub Adham Awad won a 50/50 tackle against Sagynbaev, and then got the ball wide to Naser Al-Din. His cross picked out Othman, and he powered home a header from ten yards out. We had thrown away the lead we had worked so hard to build up in the first half.

There looked just one winner from here, and Othman played provider as he sent Zidan through on goal, but he blasted way over the bar. Nurtay Kurmantay came off midway through the half. Apart from the fact that he was struggling with the pace of the game, he wasn't playing very well either. And then it was Palestine's turn to get sloppy. A poor pass in midfield allowed us to get Aziz free down the left, and he made good ground. He sent the ball back infield to Yrysbek, and he found Omoraliev on the edge of the box. The striker turned, and curled a shot into the top corner. It felt like a game changer after being trampled all over for the entire second half. The entire bench, myself included, leapt to their feet to celebrate that one. Moments later, Omoraliev won a battle in the air, and got the ball out wide to Aziz again. Our winger sent in a cross this time, and the defender clearly wasn't aware of where Omoraliev had moved to. The striker threw himself at the cross, getting his left boot in front of the defender and diverting the ball away from Al-Jamal who was moving across goal, and into the corner. The striker and Captain had netted an opening day hatrick, and when Othman wasted a gilt edged chance to bring Palestine back into it when he scuffed a shot wide, we knew we had riden out the storm! What a game to start to the campaign, and a small measure of revenge on the Palestinians, who prevented our Under-23's from Qualifying for their age group Nations Cup earlier in the year.

Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (3) 5 - Janboto Yrysbek (5), Almaz Omoraliev (24,74,76), Barakaat Al-Jamal (41 og)
Palestine Under-19's (1) 3 - Sammekh Othman (34,60), Ayed Zidan (53)
Sarinji Subakojoev; Artur Bochkarev, Nurtay Kurmantay (Farkhat Zolzhenko 67), Sergey Salymbekov, Ruslan Sagynbaev; Ivan Kharchenko, Bektur Jamshidov; Alexandr Samsaliev, Janboto Yrysbek, Davron Aziz; Almaz Omoraliev (capt).
Unused Substitutes :- Georgiy Slavnyi (GK), Vladimir Otkeev, Murat Abdurahmanov, Rakhat Bochkarev, Elijah Chotbaev.
Possession :- 57% - 43%. Shots on Target :- 8 - 10. Man of the Match :- Almaz Omoraliev (Kyrgyzstan Under-19's).

That was some match to watch if you're a neutral. But I'm not, and my nerves were shred to bits. But what a performance from those young players. I was very proud of their effort, particularly Almaz Omoraliev. Suddenly, we were heading into Tuesday's match with the hosts with a real shot at getting out of this Group. They had got off to a winning start themselves, though they were considerably less entertaining when they beat the United Arab Emirates 1-0 in the evening kick off. Now our match with Kuwait is a pretty big one, and I hope we can do ourselves justice, as we did against Palestine. Our game is the new record holding match for the most goals in a game, unfortunately, we don't get an extra point for that. The following day, it was time to take a look at the Under-20's, as the squad was due to be named for their trip to Indonesia.

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Saturday 3rd October 2015.

Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-20's National Team
International Under-20's Friendly
To Play Indonesia (A - 12/10/15) at Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring, Palembang, Indonesia.

Goalkeepers.
Arstanbek Manasov. 19 yrs old. 5'9. KG United. Uncapped.
Ilim Omorov. 19 yrs old. 6'4. Alga Bishkek. Uncapped.
Sergey Skorik. 19 yrs old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.

Defenders.
Almazbek Malikov. 19 yrs old. 6'4. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Capped at U-19.
Azim Azarov. 19 yrs old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Bakyt Rysbek. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-19.
Boris Drozdetskiy. 19 yrs old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-23.
Danila Sokirchenko. 19 yrs old. 6'4. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-23.
Elhan Temirbaev. 19 yrs old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. Capped at U-19.
Odiljon Abdurahmanov. 19 yrs old. 6'3. Aldier Kurshab. Capped at U-20.
Orozbek Japarov. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.

Midfielders.
Artur Il'yaev. 19 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Chyngyz Idrisov. 20 yrs old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Dastan Kylychbekov. 19 yrs old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Gamzi Nabiev. 19 yrs old. 5'7. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Capped at U-19.
Manas Karipov. 20 yrs old. 6'2. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Capped at U-19.
Semetey Daniyarov. 18 yrs old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Temirlan Atabaev. 19 yrs old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Temirlan Kenjebek. 20 yrs old. 5'8. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-19.
Yegor Naydenov. 20 yrs old. 6'0. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.

Forwards.
Ergeldi Kuldyshev. 18 yrs old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Manas Tunubekov. 20 yrs old. 5'10. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.
Beris Tynarov. 20 yrs old. 5'10. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
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It was great to be able to name an age group squad with plenty of options. Most of the players selected have previous International football experience at one level or another. A lot of them are players who had played for the Under-19's earlier in the year, and have now progressed up to the next age group level. Hopefully they will prove themselves to be competitive, they have a Friendly this month, and another next month to show what they can do.

Saturday also saw the Kyrgyzstani Cup Final take place, and after seeing their League Title taken by Alay Osh, there was a determination from Dordoy to make sure they didn't finish the season empty handed. They would get the job done as well, a 2-0 victory landing them a record seventh Cup success. It meant that Nurzat Kadyrkulov had a very early trophy at his new club, while it was difficult not to have sympathy for the recently sacked Serbian manager, Zavisa Milosavljevic, who might have managed to keep his job if he'd been around long enough to oversee that Cup success.

On the other side of the coin, losing finalists Abdysh-Ata Kant decided that their failiure in that Final, along with a performance in the League that saw them fail to challenge the top three, was grounds enough to relieve young manager, 27 year old Mirlan Eshenov, of his job. I would apply for this one too, keen to see if I was considered good enough to manage at the ambitious Higher League club. At the same time, I was also having my name linked with the now available job at the side sitting bottom of the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership, winless Dundee United, who have sacked Mixu Paatelainen.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

That Cup Final played havoc with the preparations of the Senior squad before our two World Cup Qualifiers. The 23 man squad was scheduled to arrive in Bishkek on Tuesday, but only 13 arrived that day, with the missing ten all given an extra day to recover from the Cup Final or their domestic matches elsewhere. It's not ideal of course, but it shows the fact that little consideration is given to the National Team when the domestic fixtures are scheduled. It's not something we have time to dwell on, as the Under-19's have their second match of their Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifying campaign on the same day.

Tuesday 6th October 2015 - 19:00pm.
Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifiers, Group E.
Mubarak Al-Ayaar Stadium, Al-Jahra, Kuwait.
Kuwait Under-19's v Kyrgyzstan Under-19's.
Attendance :- 906. Weather :- Wet, 18c.

It was never likely to be easy against the Group hosts, but if we could get a result against them in this match, we would have a real shot at progressing into the Finals. After beating the United Arab Emirates in their opening match, both sides knew that a win today would mean a point in their final match would be enough to then win the Group. It was Kuwait who came out with all guns blazing, and our defenders showed bravery, making several important shot blocks in the opening stages of the match. But Ivan Kharchenko gave the ball away in the 21st minute, and Aelag Swaidan played a quick one-two with Sultan Al-Beloushi to get Kuwait going the other way. It was then passed to Abdulrahman Aissa, and he got to the byline before standing it up to the far post and finding Mohammed Al-Qattan, who was unmarked, and finished easily from close range. We managed to create very little in all honesty, a Bektur Jamshidov through ball was a touch too far ahead of Janboto Yrysbek, who managed to keep it in, but then couldn't find a team mate, and we failed to work Anwar Saihan who was in goal for the Gulf State nation.

Alexandr Samsaliev came off at the break, the right winger took a bit of a knock at the end of the first half, and Vladimir Otkeev replaces him. In another game, he might have been able to carry on, but I needed my wingers to help out their full backs in this match. That was emphasised when Al-Qattan broke down the right then angled his run to cut into the box. He kept going, never really lifting his head to look for support, and then shooting from an impossible angle, only hitting the outside of the post. They were penning us into our own half for long spells, and our concentration lapsed in the 55th minute, Aissa who had created the first goal, scored the second, adjusting his body well and volleying in Abdulaziz Ziad's corner.

Both sides made a change just after the hour, I wasn't disappointed to see the back of their left winger Suwaidan when he departed, but I was very much disappointed to see Yrysbek come off, our forward just unable to go any further after being short of fitness when he joined the squad. Still, we weren't done in this match, and five minutes after those changes, we dragged ourselves back into the game. Ruslan Sagynbaev's corner came back to him, and he played it down the line to Vladimir Otkeev. There was a lot of jostling for position in the penalty box as everyone anticipated the cross, so instead, the substitute winger laid the ball across the edge of the box to Kharchenko, and he picked a path through the bodies and high into the top corner of the net.

With the players running low on energy, and options from the bench fairly thin, I decided our best chance was to go all out, and as Kuwait were making their last change, I did the same. Davron Aziz came off to allow another striker on, and we would go with three strikers and Otkeev playing just behind them. It wouldn't have the desired impact unfortunately, Almaz Omoraliev heading the best chance we managed to create over the bar, and we had to say we'd been beaten by a better side in this one.

Kuwait Under-19's (1) 2 - Mohammed Al-Qattan (21), Abdulrahman Aissa (55)
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (0) 1 - Ivan Kharchenko (67)
Sarinji Subakojoev; Artur Bochkarev, Nurtay Kurmantay (Farkhat Zolzhenko 67), Sergey Salymbekov, Ruslan Sagynbaev; Ivan Kharchenko, Bektur Jamshidov; Alexandr Samsaliev (Vladimir Otkeev 45), Janboto Yrysbek (Elijah Chotbaev 61), Davron Aziz (Rakhat Bochkarev 73); Almaz Omoraliev (capt).
Unused Substitutes :- Farkhat Zolzhenko, Georgiy Slavnyi (GK), Murat Abdurahmanov.
Possession :- 55% - 45%. Shots on Target :- 5 - 3. Man of the Match :- Abdulrahman Aissa (Kuwait Under-19's).

I'm not too disappointed, my players didn't let their heads go down, and they had a good go, but we just didn't have enough in the tank to match up to a good Kuwait side today. Earlier in the day, the United Arab Emirates had squeezed past Palestine by a single goal. We'll meet them on Saturday evening in the final match of the Group, with only the winners having any chance of progressing. A draw will be no good to either side really.

[oche balboa]

No youth intake yet?

 

Btw great stuff

[neilhoskins77]

4 hours ago, oche balboa said:

No youth intake yet?

 

Btw great stuff

None yet Oche. I hope when they do arrive they are immigrants from Brazil and Argentina. Glad you're still enjoying it.

[oche balboa]

I do. Always enjoy your stories. 

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

The attention switches to the Senior side, and the build up begins for Friday's huge match against Australia at the Dolena. The current record attendance for a home Kyrgyzstan match is just over 16,000 for a match over five years ago. That record is about to get smashed, the Dolena has never been closer to being sold out than it will be for Friday's match. The fans will be coming in good spirits after our perfomances in Melbourne and Amman, but we're still rank outsiders at 9/2. I use my press conference to banish any thoughts of revenge. We need to be smart, and stick to our game plan I tell them. Anton Zemlianukhin has the right idea. Our talisman midfielder tells the media that we need to forget who the opposition are, and approach the match with a bit of confidence. Nwanko Chinedu issues the rallying call, stating that if Australia are complacent, they're there to be beaten.

Alay Osh have already had an impressive domestic season, and they capped it off on Thursday evening, beating Dordoy Bishkek 2-0 in the Kyrgyzstani Super Cup. It's been a fabulous first season in charge for their 44 year old Turkish manager, Aydin Metin. His side have an 80% win rate for the season, and have conceded just six goals in all competitions, with Dordoy scoring four of those. They'll also get an opportunity to test their skill on the Continental stage next season. The following morning, the day of the match against Australia, the Belarusian giants, Dinamo Minsk, release a statement denying that they are considering me for their currently vacant managers job.

Friday 9th October 2015 - 19:30pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Australia.
Attendance :- 21,169. Weather :- 15c.

I thought long and hard about how to approach this match, and decided to start with the defensive formation that we had successfully adopted in Amman against Jordan. The idea was that if we could ride out the opening quarter or half hour of the match, we could then look to spring into a more neutral formation and try and catch the Australians with too many players pushed forward. After his Cup Final outing, Davron Askarov was one of several players not fit enough to start the game, so my five man back line included Tamirlan Kozubaev and Shuhrat Rahmonov, with Faruh Abitob deployed at right back in place of the suspended Vadim Kharchenko. With Rustamjan Zakirov also lacking the required fitness to start, it would be Yevgeniy Malinin who would be deployed in the defensive midfielder role. Viktor Maier would be at right midfield, with Ahletdin Israilov chosen to start as the lone striker.

In front of a record crowd, that game plan was undone with just six minutes on the clock, and with some style too. We knew all about the talent of Germany based forward Matthew Leckie. Knowing about it, and doing something about it, are very different things though. He was just inside his own half when he took possession, playing a one-two with Matt McKay that got him past Viktor Maier. He then turned on the burners, moving quickly up the park, creeping infield as he did so. Daniel Tagoe moved up from the line to challenge him, but Leckie glided right by him, and then moved the ball away from Shuhrat Rahmonov, and curled a low shot inside the far post from the edge of the 'D'. It was a superb piece of individual play. He would then make an almost identical run from the same position just after the half hour. This time is was Yevgeniy Malinin who went to him and was beaten easily. Instead of shooting, Leckie slipped the ball to Adam Taggart this time, and the Dundee United striker spun past Tagoe and lifted the ball over Vladislav Volkov to double the Aussies advantage. Frustration was growing in our ranks, and Anton Zemlianukhin avoided being booked for a poorly timed tackle, but was then cautioned by the Malaysian referee for his dissent. Meanwhile, Matthew Ryan was called into action for the first time, Ahletdin Israilov sliding a diagonal pass into the box that Karim Izrailov hit first time, Ryan pushing it over the bar.

With the game plan very much out of the window, I switched us back to our normal 4-2-3-1 at the break, making two changes while doing so. Rahmonov came off to put us back into a flat back four, and Rustamjan Zakirov came on to join Malinin and form a two in midfield. Further up the park, Maier was also withdrawn, replaced by Mirlan Murzaev, who would go up front with Ahletdin Israilov moving into the right wing position. That change looked like it would be pretty ineffective in the early moments of the second half, particularly when Robbie Kruse found the space to cross on the right, and McKay stung the hands of Volkov with a vicious strike that the keeper did well to push to safety. Midway through the half, Australia made a pair of changes, which were like for like, except one of them was veteran Tim Cahill. He was welcomed to the match by Zakirov, who earned a booking for him foul on the China based midfielder. Faurh Abitov would join him in the book moments later. I made my final change with fifteen minutes remaining, electing to bring off the ineffective Zemlianukhin, and replace him with the more physical Baktay Taalaybek. The match was ebbing to a lacklurstre conclusion when Cahill made his first real contribution, taking the legs away from Malinin as he moved into the corner of the penalty box. The ref pointed to the spot, and with just thirty seconds of the ninety minutes remaining, Karim Izrailov placed his left footed penalty high into the top corner and beyond the reach of Ryan's dive, notching his first for his nation. I immediately pushed everyone up the park, and urged my players to lift the ball up the park at every opportunity, but it was too late for us to earn anything from the game. Once again, we had been beaten without being disgraced.

Kyrgyzstan (0) 1 - Karim Izrailov (90 pen)
Australia (2) 2 - Matthew Leckie (6), Adam Taggart (31)
Vladislav Volkov (capt); Faruh Abitov, Daniel Tagoe, Shuhrat Rahmonov (Rustamjan Zakirov 45), Tamirlan Kozubaev, Valery Kichin; Yevgeniy Malinin; Viktor Maier (Mirlan Murzaev 45), Anton Zemlianukhin (Baktay Taalaybek 75), Karim Izrailov; Ahletdin Israilov.
Unused Substitutes :- Nwanko Chinedu, Kirill Priadkin (GK), Davron Askarov, Murat Madaliev, Edgar Bernhardt, Raul' Dzhalilov, David Tetteh, Maxim Agapov (GK).
Possession :- 40% - 60%. Shots on Target :- 3 - 10. Man of the Match :- Matt McKay (Australia).

We didn't really have any right to be disappointed with a close defeat to a nation ranked nearly 100 spots above us in the World Rankings. Yet disappointed was exactly how I felt. I don't regret the decision to start with the defensive option, but I should have made the decision to pump the ball up the park earlier to give us some hope. It was too late by the time the penalty was netted. Those thoughts were echoed by the fans, who declared themselves disappointed with our defensive outlook to the match. That said, the match was considered something of a free hit, as we had never really counted on getting any points from Australia realistically, and the mood in the camp was still upbeat as we headed into a match with Tajikistan in a few days time.

The other match of the day in our Group saw Jordan beat Bangladesh 3-1 at home. They face Australia next in a match that will potentially have an impact on who wins the Group, while our match with our next door neighbours may well give a clue as to the nation who will likely claim third spot. We'll go into that match without Rustamjan Zakirov, his booking was his second of the Group, and he will miss the match, though Vadim Kharchenko will return, continuing the recent trend of one in, and one out. For positives, we can take the obvious fact that Australia have failed to blow us apart in either of the matches we have played against them, a new national record attendance at the Dolena, and Karim Izrailov getting off the mark with his first goal for Kyrgyzstan.

East Timor scored a late equaliser to earn a point at home against Saudi Arabia, who's chances of Qualifying seemed to be diminishing by the match. UAE beat Palestine 2-0 in Group One's other match. Group Three saw a dreary scoreless draw between Guam and Hong Kong, while Qatar easily defeated the Maldives. In Group Four, an entertaining match saw Guam go down 2-4 at home to India, while Iran aided their hopes of progressing with a 1-0 away win in Turkmenistan. There was a shortage of goals in Group Five, the only one scored was a Singapore winner five minutes from time at home to Cambodia, while Syria held Japan to a scoreless draw in the other match. No such issues in Group Six, where there were goals and a surprise. Four goals in the opening half hour did the job for Thailand away to Cambodia. In Basra, hosts Iraq looked like they would survive a scare against Vietnam, coming from two goals down, but then conceded a 90th minute winner and lost the match 2-3. Lebanon had to come from behind away to Myanmar, and then survive the final 35 minutes clinging onto that lead after having a man sent off in Group Seven. The other match saw South Korea look more comfortable on the scoreboard than they did on the park, winning 3-0 at home to Laos. Finally, Group Eight, where the games were very one sided. Uzbekistan beat North Korea 4-0 at home, and Bahrain bettered that with a 7-1 away win over Yemen.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

Saturday would be a very busy day. It would start with our Under-20's squad meeting, and then later in the day, they would take a flight out to Indonesia, where they would be competing in a Friendly match in a few days. That would then be followed by the climax of the domestic football season in Kyrgyzstan, as both Zone A and B of the First Division would see their final matches played. Zone B Champions and unbeaten up to now Alay Osh Reserves would finish their League campaign unbeaten, as they won 2-0 away to Kara-Suu. Eight defeats in a row, and eight points from the bottom, the Kara-Suu hierarchy had seen enough, and their manager Adilet Abdullaev was sacked after the match. League runners-up Neftchi Kochkor-Ata completed their campaign with a win, as they beat Shakhter Kyzyl Kiya on the road. Aldier Kurshab and FC Jalabat met to settle third place. The game ended 1-1, which meant that despite an inferior goal difference, Jalabat claimed third place based on their head to head results. Ulugbek Kurmanbekov was sacked as manager of Aldier Kurshab as a result. I applied for that job.

In Zone A, Alga Chuy had their relegation confirmed when they lost 1-0 away to Zhivoye Pivo Kant. They would join RSDYuShOR Bishkek, who finished seventh, three points better off than FC Belovodsk Belovodskoye, but have to be demoted as KG United are being relegated from the High League, at least, we think they are. We still have no idea what's actually going to happen with that. Kara-Balta missed the opportunity to complete an unbeaten League season, losing 2-1 away to Nashe Pivo Kant. It's anyone's guess who will be the sixth team in the top tier next season. As I see it, there are three options. Either KG United stay up, Kara Balta are promoted as Champions, or the team going up is the highest placed eligible club if Kara Balta can't or won't go up. If that is the case, then it would be Zhivoye Pivo Kant, though they would have to give up their affiliation with Abdysh-Ata Kant, and Nashe Pivo have the same agreement as well. If that prevents either going up, the highest placed eligible club is FC Belovodsk, who finished just one point off the bottom. They've also sacked their manager Roman Baryktabasov. I've applied for that job too.

The final action of a busy Saturday would be in Kuwait, as the Under-19's completed their schedule with the closing game of the Group against United Arab Emirates. The host nation for the Group had already booked their place in the Asian Under-19 Championship Finals this time next year in Bahrain. They had completed a sweep of their matches by beating Palestine 3-0 earlier in the day. So we were now playing for a second place that was very unlikely to be enough to Qualify us as one of the best runners-up.

Saturday 10th October 2015 - 19:00pm.
Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifiers, Group E.
Mubarak Al-Ayaar Stadium, Al-Ayaar, Kuwait.
United Arab Emirates Under-19's v Kyrgyzstan Under-19's.
Attendance :- 487. Weather :- 22c.

Georgiy Slavnyi would get his opportunity to shine in this tournament with his first start in goal, while Nurtay Kurmantay wasn't fit enought to play a full ninety minutes, and starts this match on the substitutes bench. With a miracle required, and little in the way of options, we would just have to do what we could in this match. That approach started very badly as UAE cut us open several times in the opening minutes, and found the net with just three minutes on the clock. Right back Rashed Suredi had all the space and time he could wish for to raid down the flank. He squared the ball inside to Mohammed Abdulla, who rolled it into the path of Abdulla Essa Jasim. He curled his shot out of the reach of Slavnyi and low into the bottom corner. But it wasn't going to get any better, and when we failed to clear the ball adequately, they sent it right back out to Suredi once more, he was being asked to do very little defending at this point. He crossed it into the middle himself, and as it bounced back up, Mohammed Braik Hamad stooped to head it inside the far post and double the lead for UAE. When we tried to fight back, Almaz Omoraliev was muscled off the ball, and UAE swept right back down the other end. Jasim headed down a long ball, and then got the ball back on the right, and Adilet Sagynbaev was again struggling. He couldn't prevent the cross and at the far post, it was Abdelqadar Yaseen who was there to apply the finishing touch this time. Twenty four minutes on the clock, and we were three goals down.

On the half hour, we finally got some passing going, and Alexandr Askarov got possession on the right wing, and he got Ahmed Yousuf Hussien to commit to a sliding tackle, and our winger skipped by him. He swung an inch perfect cross into the near post, and picked out our danger man, Omoraliev clipping it inside the near post to reduce the arrears. We had created a way back into the game, but almost saw UAE go right back down the other end and pad that lead back out again. Omurbek Bochkarev's header clear wasn't a good one, and Hamad headed it right back through the gap to Jasim, who lifted it over Slavnyi but past the upright. If we had shipped another goal right there, I think we would have been done. Five minutes later, Suredi got even further up the park than he had so far, and broke into the box himself as UAE counter attacked again. He went for a low shot across the face of the goal, Slavnyi saved with his feet. We were having more of the ball now, and starting to create a little bit, Askarov sent in another cross towards Omoraliev. This one was a bit deep, and the striker had to chase it to the byline to stop it going out of play. He did that, but then lost the ball to Ali Khaled. His long ball upfield found Hamad, and he played a quick one-two with Jasim, sprinted beyond our defence, and then beat Slavyni with a shot that curled just inside the near post. We had nothing left to lose now, and poured forward. With a few minutes left to half time, Salamat Dzhalilov made good ground down the left, and then sent the ball inside to Janboto Yrysbek. The forward slid the ball in for Omoraliev, and he lifted it over Rashet Al-Dhanhani's dive and notched his second of the match. What a first half that was!

That first half had been tough on us, and Yrysbek had taken a knock that would prevent him from appearing for the second half, with Elijah Chotbaev coming on to replace him. Centre back Bekmyrza Salymbekov had a pretty poor first half, and he came off as well, replaced by Nurtay Kurmantay, who hadn't been fit enough to play from the start. Despite the changes, UAE should have increased their lead once more just minutes into the second half. A free kick was sent into the box, and only headed to the edge of the box. Ali Khaled knocked it down to Mohammed Abdulla, who's shot hit the bar, Hamad headed the rebound over when it was easier to score than to miss. By midway through the half, Omoraliev had run out of gas, and had to be replaced by Mayrambek Bochkarev. One of our other subs, Nurtay Kurmantay had already earned himself a booking by that point. UAE were sitting back to defend that lead now, and we were starting to get more of the ball, and passing around nicely as we had in our opening match. When we dragged their defence around a bit, Dzhalilov played a quick, low pass into the feet of Mayrambek Bochkarev, and he fired high into the net to make it 4-3 with just over a quarter of an hour remaining. Now we were pushing forward in large numbers, but UAE were effective on the counter attack, and Hamad sent a ball over the top to send Jasim clear. Adilet Sagynbaev got back to make life difficult for him, and Jasim pulled his shot wide, and the chance to make the game safe once more had passed UAE by. We were not able to punish his wastefulness though, and we had come out on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller.

United Arab Emirates Under-19's (4) 4 - Abdulla Essa Jasim (3), Mohammed Braik Hamad (18,38), Abdelqader Yaseen (24).
Kyrgyzstan Under-19's (2) 3 - Almaz Omoraliev (30,42), Mayrambek Bochkarev (74).
Georgiy Slavnyi; Omurbek Bochkarev, Adyl Dolzhenko, Bekmyrza Salymbekov (Nurtay Kurmantay 45), Adilet Sagynbaev; Ramazan Kharchenko, Marsel' Jamshidov; Alexandr Askarov, Janboto Yrysbek (Elijah Chotbaev 45), Salamat Dzhalilov; Almaz Omoraliev (capt - Mayrambek Bochkarev 66).
Unused Substitutes :- Sarinji Subakojoev (GK), Vladimir Nusubaliev, Bakyt Abdurahmanov.
Possession :- 47% - 53%. Shots on Target :- 14 - 3. Man of the Match :- Abdulla Essa Jasim (United Arab Emirates Under-19's).

The truth of the matter was, we didn't have enough quality in the squad to hang with the United Arab Emirates youngsters on this day. Still, I'm proud of my players efforts in this tournament. They didn't throw in the towel against Kuwait or UAE, and they pulled out a decent win against Palestine. We were always going to have a battle to Qualify, and maybe third place is the best we could ever hope for. But I'll always maintain that with more depth to pick from, we could have maybe caused a shock. We will chalk this one up to experience, and hopefully be in a better position next time around.

Asian Under-19 Championship Qualifiers. Group E. Final Table.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team                 | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   | 
 
| 1st   | Q     | Kuwait Under 19s     | 3     | 3     | 0     | 0     | 6     | 1     | 5     | 9     | 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 2nd   |       | U.A.E. Under 19s     | 3     | 2     | 0     | 1     | 5     | 4     | 1     | 6     | 
 
| 3rd   |       | Kyrgyzstan Under 19s | 3     | 1     | 0     | 2     | 9     | 9     | 0     | 3     | 

| 4th   |       | Palestine Under 19s  | 3     | 0     | 0     | 3     | 3     | 9     | -6    | 0     |

 

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

Our Under-20's have arrived in Indonesia, where the temperatures are up into the 30's, and where they will face their hosts age group side in Palembang on Monday. Two of our players have been asked to play no more than 45 minutes by their club, KG United's goalkeeper Arstanbek Manasov and Aldier Kurshab's centre back Odijon Abdurahmanov. That match will be followed by the final game of this International Window, as our Senior side face Tajikistan in a very important World Cup Qualifying match in Bishkek. A pretty major drop in attendance from the Australia game is expected, with reports suggesting that we'll be looking at a crowd of more like 10,000 compared to the near sell out we had last week. This is a match we have had targeted as winable, and it's a match between two nations of very similar stature. Losing is unthinkable for our supporters. Neither players or supporters will have to worry about the sun screen that will be needed in Indonesia however.

Monday 12th October 2015 - 15:00pm.
International Under-20's Friendly.
Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring, Palembang, Indonesia.
Indonesia Under-20's v Kyrgyzstan Under-20's.
Attendance :- 445. Weather :- Breezy, 35c.

It was going to be a sweltering experience for my players in the mid afternoon heat of Indonesia's South Sumatra district. At least I had a full squad to select from this time though. I really needed this side to build on the decent result they had got last time out when they managed a draw with a strong North Korea side. To date, that had been their only good outing.

The start was encouraging, at least from a defensive aspect. We were being penned in for long periods, but we were holding firm, preventing crosses on the whole, and dealing with them well when they did come in from deeper areas. Chyngyz Idrisov picked up a booking just a quarter of an hour in, he had already been warned for a tackle, and he pulled an opponents shirt to prevent a counter after losing the ball in the middle of the park. In the 27th minute, Indonesia tried a different approach, and played the ball through us into our box. Ginandaru Gesang Wicaksono got inside his marker, and curled a shot across goal that rebounded back off the upright. We were not so fortunate less than five minutes later. We had tried to push up a little higher, and the ball came back over our heads. Miftahul Hamdi chased it down the right, and then sent a cross into the middle that Agi Pratama slid home from the middle of the six yard box. The scorer should have netted his second just moments later, as he waltzed through our defence and in on goal, but lifted his shot over the cross bar. Before the break, left back Elhan Temirbaev became the second player on our team to have his name taken by the referee.

Those two booked players were both brought off at half time, replaced by Boris Drozdetskiy at left back and Gamzi Nabiev in the centre of the park. Nabiev would pick up a booking himself with less than an hour on the clock, and just as I made another double substitution, this time taking off centre back Odiljon Abdurahmanov for Bakyt Rysbek and striker Beris Tynarov, who was replaced by Manas Tunubekov. Only a last ditch tackle from Orozbek Japarov on the edge of his own penalty box prevented Indonesia skipper Zulfiandi from walking in on goal, but the centre back was one of four more changes made in the 71st minute. They didn't really help us turn the tide in the match, and Bakyt Rysbek had to clear the ball off the line, before Ilim Omorov made a smart save from a close range shot. A second goal was coming, and it duly arrived with four minutes left on the clock. Muhammad Hargianto had come on as a sub ten minutes or so earlier, and took a free kick to the left of our box. His first effort came right back to him, but at the second time of asking, he sent it to the edge of the box, where Zulfiandi squared it to Wicaksono. He went for a low driven shot that Omorov looked to be dealing with comfortably, until centre back Ryuji Utomo stuck out a foot to divert the ball out of our keepers reach and into the net. There was still time for Rysbek and Wicaksono to earn bookings, but we never really got out of the blocks in this match, and it's clear that our age group teams are not going to be competitive against Asia's nations who are more established in terms in domestic Leagues.

Indonesia Under-20's (1) 2 - Agi Pratama (31), Ryuji Utomo (86).
Kyrgyzstan Under-20's (0) 0 -
Ilim Omorov; Danila Sokirchenko (Azim Azarov 71), Odiljon Abdurahmanov (Bakyt Rysbek 58), Orozbek Japarov (Almazbek Malikov 71), Elhan Temirbaev (Boris Drozdetskiy 45); Chyngyz Idrisov (Gamzi Nabiev 45), Manas Karipov (Artur Il'yaev 71); Dastan Kylychbekov (Temirlan Kenjebek 71), Temirlan Atabaev (capt), Yegor Naydenov; Beris Tynarov (Manas Tunubekov 58).
Unused Substitutes :- Sergey Skorik (GK), Semetey Daniyarov, Ergeldi Kuldyshev, Arstanbek Manasov (GK).
Possession :- 47% - 53%. Shot on Target :- 8 - 1. Man of the Match :- Ginandaru Gesang Wicaksono (Indonesia Under-20's).

That was hard work to watch, and our possession of the ball was only down to Indonesia's poor passing. The one shot that we got on target was from long range, and had the power of a backpass. It was now down to the Senior side to complete what had been a below average International Window so far, and hopes were resting on them on boosting the nations football morale, as the Under-20's started their journey back to Bishkek in a disheartened mood.

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

Tuesday 13th October 2015 - 19:45pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Tajikistan.
Attendance :- 9,877. Weather :- 15c.

After starting against Australia with our defensive formation, we would go back to our normal 4-2-3-1 for this home fixture with Tajikistan. Vadim Kharchenko was available after his suspension, and returned at right back in place of Faruh Abitov. Daniel Tagoe was the only one of the three centre backs who would remain in the starting lineup, with Davron Askarov fit enough to return to the lineup to join him. Murat Madaliev and Baktay Taalaybek would form the midfield partnership, while David Tetteh was brought in as the striker, with Ahletdin Israilov going onto the bench.

We started off quickly, but Tajikistan countered, and won a corner in the 8th minute. Qurbonali Sobirov whipped the corner into the near post, and Hamdi Dahmani, the visitors skipper, found room at the near post, volleying it towards the target. Vladislav Volkov got a hand on it, but it was still creeping inside the near post, until Valery Kichin intervened and headed it clear. Moments later, Davron Askarov was booked for a foul that gave Tajikistan a free kick in a promising position. Eraj Rajabov took it, and curled it into the box. Anton Zemlianukhin, was the first defender, and he easily headed it, not only clear but, right to Karim Izrailov. Now it was our turn to counter attack, and he burst past the free kick taker to exploit the space on the left. He played a one-two with Kichin, and then found David Tetteh. The striker also played a one-two, swapping passes with Baktay Taalaybek, who played him clean through into the area. Tetteh shot towards the far corner, Vladimir Sysoev got a hand to it, but only managed to help it on it's way, and we had a vital 11th minute lead.

Things were looking good, but in the 23rd minute, as we pushed forward again, Murat Madaliev's pass across the edge of Tajikistan's box was intercepted by Naim Nosirov, and he sent the ball quickly up the park. Qomil Saidov took control and ran at our defence. As we converged on him, he slipped the ball right into the path of strike partner, Manuchehr Jalilov, and he steered his low shot past Volkov and low into the corner to level the match up. That was a blow, and we would suffer another just seconds before half time. Madaliev and Taalaybek combined well just outside the box, and the latter played in Tetteh as well. He looked offside, but the flag stayed down, which was unfortunate for our striker, as it would have been a good excuse when he side footed his shot over the bar when he should have reinstated our lead.

No changes from us at the break, and my players were told that this match was still very much there to be won. Tajikistan made one change in their midfield, with Sobirov replaced by Alisher Djalilov. They made their next two changes in the 54th and 59th minutes as they looked for a better grip of the midfield. That didn't really work out so well for them, and when I made all three of my changes in the 63rd minute, I didn't feel the need to mess with our midfield too much, with the exception of Zemlianukhin, who wasn't having a very good match, and looked out of sorts. He was replaced by Ahletdin Israilov, with the other changes made in defence. Kichin was out of gas and was replaced by Nwanko Chinedu, with Daniel Tagoe brought off for Tamirlan Kozubaev. It was annoying to see Chinedu pick up a booking within five minutes coming on, providing ammunition to the critics who didn't believe he was up to International standard.

But he wasn't involved when Tajikistan counter attacked at high pace in the 71st minute. Sub Ma-ruf Mahmudov played a short pass to Jalilov, and he skipped past a tackle from Madaliev. He then played it to the left for overlapping full back Farhod Vasiev, and his cross was right onto the waiting right foot of Mahmudov. There was a collective sigh of relief around the stadium when he effort thumped back off the post. That would be the best opportunity that either side would have to win the match, and neither side was able to claim the bragging rights this time around. It doesn't really do much for either nations ambitions of Qualifying either.

Kyrgyzstan (1) 1 - David Tetteh (11)
Tajikistan (1) 1 - Manuchehr Jalilov (23)
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Daniel Tagoe (Tamirlan Kozubaev 63), Davron Askarov (capt), Valery Kichin (Nwanko Chinedu 63); Murat Madaliev, Baktay Taalaybek; Viktor Maier, Anton Zemlianukhin (Ahletdin Israilov 63), Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Kirill Priadkin (GK), Shuhrat Rahmonov, Edgar Bernhardt, Yevgeniy Malinin, Raul' Dzhalilov, Mirlan Murzaev, Maxim Agapov (GK).
Possession :- 60% - 40%. Shots on Target :- 4 - 5. Man of the Match :- Baktay Taalaybek (Kyrgyzstan).

I'm disappointed. We had that match marked out as one we should be looking to win. We had enough possession and created enough chances to win it too. The disappointment is tempered with the knowledge that Tajikistan had their chances to win that match as well. Maybe I'm expecting a bit too much, too soon. But it has been a pretty dismal International Window all around for Kyrgyzstan football, with the only win in six matches being our Under-19's first match in Kuwait against Palestine.

The fans were happier than I was, declaring themselves pleased on the whole with the draw, and particularly the combative performance of Baktay Taalaybek in the middle of the park. They enhance the notion that I'm expecting a little too much, as they also comment that they're keen to see the side remain competitive in the Qualifiers still left on the schedule. Murat Madaliev tells the press that with two sides so evenly matched, a draw was always the likely outcome.

An anonymous member of the staff tells the media that there is cautious optimism in the camp at how the Qualifying campaign is going, and stated that the nation was still very much on course to meet expectations. I'm not sure who's expectations they're comparing that to however. The players are certainly happy enough as they leave the camp in Bishkek, and return to their clubs. There is another double header of World Cup Qualifiers in November, starting with an away match in Bangladesh, a game that Davron Askarov will miss due to suspension after his second yellow card of the campaign, and then returning home to face Jordan. We're certainly in a better mood than the Australians, who lost 1-0 to Jordan in Amman, which puts Jordan top of the Group.

FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Up to & Including Tuesday 13th October 2015.

| Pos   | Inf   | Team       | Pld   | Won   | Drn   | Lst   | For   | Ag    | GD    | Pts   | 
 
| 1st   |       | Jordan     | 5     | 4     | 1     | 0     | 10    | 1     | 9     | 13    | 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
| 2nd   |       | Australia  | 5     | 4     | 0     | 1     | 7     | 2     | 5     | 12    | 
 
| 3rd   |       | Kyrgyzstan | 5     | 1     | 2     | 2     | 4     | 4     | 0     | 5     | 
 
| 4th   |       | Tajikistan | 4     | 1     | 1     | 2     | 4     | 5     | -1    | 4     | 
 
| 5th   |       | Bangladesh | 5     | 0     | 0     | 5     | 1     | 14    | -13   | 0     | 
 
Friday 13th November 2015.
Australia v Tajikistan
Bangladesh v Kyrgyzstan

Tuesday 17th November 2015.
Kyrgyzstan v Jordan
Tajikistan v Bangladesh

Wednesday 23rd March 2016.
Bangladesh v Australia
Jordan v Tajikistan

Saturday 26th March 2016.
Australia v Jordan
Tajikistan v Kyrgyzstan

 

[neilhoskins77]

October 2015 (cont).

A day after that match in Bishkek, the new FIFA World Rankings are released, and we're down one spot. That's not even the bad news, it's Tajikistan who have leap frogged over us and into our 147th spot. Paraguay are the biggest movers, pushing up the rankings from 55th to 39th spot after wins over Venezuela and Brazil. It's still Germany at the top of the rankings.

Dundee United are not interested in my services as their manager according to reports in the Scottish media. Two other clubs are though, and in consecutive days, I have interviews for domestic club jobs, firstly at First Division Zone B club Aldier Kurshab, and then at High League club Alga Bishkek. The press get wind of my interview with the higher ranked club, and within hours the odds on me taking over at Alga drop from 50/1 to odds on favourite at 4/6. Within days, another offer comes in, from another High League club, this time it's Abdysh-Ata Kant. All three clubs offer me the job, and now I have to make a decision on whether I want to jump into club management, and if so, which club I choose.

After our performances in the World Cup Qualifiers, the press in Kyrgyzstan have turned on two of the players. Ahletdin Israilov has been branded too young and inexperienced to be effective for the National side at this point in his career. Meanwhile, Anton Zemlianukhin has been in poor form for his club side in Serbia, and was unimpressive against Tajikistan. While on the whole he has impressed while playing for the National side, the article suggests that the squad now has more depth than it has in the past, and Zemlianukhin needs to regain his form or he could lose his place quickly.

As the month draws to an end, I have agreed delays with all three clubs that have offered me the job at their club. The best reason I have for taking one of the club jobs is that I can look to bring through young players myself at the club, rather than have to rely on the clubs to do it for me. The worst reason is that it will make the International job more challenging regarding being unbiased when I select my squads. That's a difficult situation to put myself in, and could undermine anything that we could potentially achieve on the International stage.

My mind is made up for me when we get into early November, and I need to name Senior, Under-20 and Under-19 squads. At long last, the Youth Intake have arrived, and I'm able to start planning for the future, particularly those age group sides. There is no reason for me to involve myself with the club scene now that all the clubs have some new young arrivals. Some of the players who have just joined the clubs look very promising indeed. It's not all good news however....

[neilhoskins77]

*I got a bit disillusioned with this save as a result of an occurance that impacted my first Under-19 squad selection after the Youth Intake arrived. It sort of answered the experiment question, but annoyed me at the same time. But now I've been missing this save, and have decided to come back to it, as it was a very enjoyable game.*

November 2015.

29 year old Edgar Bernhardt hasn't been able to find a club since his release by Thailand side Prachuap FC without making an appearance for them. The right winger who played club football in Germany, Holland, Finland and Poland, was unable to find a new club, and has announced his retirement from playing. He wasn't prepared to take the pay reduction that he would have needed to swallow for any of the clubs interested in him to be able to make a deal work. He will now look to become a Scout. Joining Bernhardt on the football scrapheap is 21 year old Bekmyrza Nazarov. He spent his entire club career with Alay Osh, winning the League with them in 2013. But they released him at the end of last season, and despite still being part of our Under-23's squad early in my tenure, he failed to find a club, and has hung up his boots at the age of just twenty one.

-------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 7th November 2015.
Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Senior National Team.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifers, Asian Qualifying Section, Group Two.
To Play Bangladesh (A - Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh - 13/11/15) & Jordan (H - Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek - 17/11/15).

Goalkeepers :-
Maxim Agapov. 27 years old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 7 caps/0 goals.
Pavel Matyash. 28 years old. 6'6. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 8 caps/0 goals.
Vladislav Volkov. 35 years old. 6'1. Dordoy Bishkek. 13 caps/0 goals.

Defenders :-
Daniel Tagoe. 29 years old. 6'2. Turan Tovuz Idman Klubu (AZE). 8 caps/0 goals.
Davron Askarov. 27 years old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 20 caps/0 goals.
Faruh Abitov. 26 years old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 9 caps/0 goals.
Nwanko Chinedu. 25 years old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. 3 caps/0 goals.
Shuhrat Rahmonov. 27 years old. 6'2. Alay Osh. 2 caps/0 goals.
Tamirlan Kozubaev. 21 years old. 6'4. FK Klaipeda Granitas (LTU). 4 caps/0 goals.
Vadim Kharchenko. 31 years old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. 29 caps/1 goal.
Valery Kichin. 23 years old. 5'11. FC Tyumen (RUS). 20 caps/0 goals.

Midfielders :-
Ahletdin Israilov. 21 years old. 5'7. Dynamo Kiev (UKR). 3 caps/0 goals.
Anton Zemlianukhin. 26 years old. 5'9. FK Radnicki Nis (SRB). 21 caps/7 goals.
Baktay Taalaybek. 23 years old. 6'5. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. 7 caps/0 goals.
Nurbek Joldoshov. 26 years old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Karim Izrailov. 28 years old. 6'0. Pyunik Yerevan (ARM). 11 caps/1 goal.
Murat Madaliev. 27 years old. 5'3. FC Kara-Balta. 6 caps/1 goal.
Raul' Dzhalilov. 21 years old. 5'10. Unattatched. 2 caps/1 goal.
Rustamjan Zakirov. 25 years old. 6'0. Alay Osh. 8 caps/0 goals.
Viktor Maier. 25 years old. 6'0. SV Meppen (GER). 9 caps/1 goal.
Yevgeniy Malinin. 29 years old. 5'10. Abdysh-Ata Kant. 4 caps/1 goal.

Forwards :-
David Tetteh. 30 years old. 5'11. Dordoy Bishkek. 11 caps/4 goals.
Vitalij Lux. 26 years old. 6'0. FC Nurnberg (GER). 3 caps/1 goal.
-------------------------------------------------------

The same as last time around, a decision was taken to include Davron Askarov in the squad despite him being unavailable for the match in Bangladesh. He will be free to play against Jordan if selected. Kirill Priadkin is now without a club, and the 38 year old keeper is left out of the squad this time. That means selection for 6'6 keeper Pavel Matyash, who has had a decent season for Abdysh-Ata Kant. Following the retirement of Edgar Bernhardt, there is a place in the squad for uncapped right winger Nurbek Joldoshov, he played often for Dordoy last season, and will be looking to push Viktor Maier for that starting spot. Finally up front, where Mirlan Murzaev is left out, and there is a recall for Vitalij Lux. The Germany based sriker has netted seven goals in eleven starts for Nurnberg's second string side in the Regionalliga Bayern, and is too hot to be left out at the moment. Raul' Dzhalilov is now without a club after being released by Kazakh club side FK Bulat, despite being named as Player of the Year by their supporters. I hope he finds another club soon, we don't want to lose him in the same way we lost Bernhardt.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 7th November 2015.
Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-20's National Team.
International Under-20's Friendly
To Play Malaysia (A - Bandaraya Pulau Pinang, George Town, Malaysia - 16/11/15).

Goalkeepers :-
Arstanbek Manasov. 19 years old. 5'9. KG United. Uncapped.
Ilim Omorov. 19 years old. 6'4. Alga Bishkek. Capped at U-20.
Ramazan Adigamov. 20 years old. 6'0. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.

Defenders :-
Almazbek Malikov. 19 years old. 6'4. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Capped at U-20.
Azim Azarov. 19 years old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Bakyt Rysbek. 20 years old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.
Boris Drozdetskiy. 19 years old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Danila Sokirchenko. 20 years old. 6'4. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.
Elhan Temirbaev. 19 years old. 5'8. Dordoy Bishkek. Capped at U-20.
Odiljon Abdurahmanov. 19 years old. 6'3. Aldier Kurshab. Capped at U-20.
Orozbek Japarov. 20 years old. 6'2. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.

Midfielders :-
Artur Il'yaev. 19 years old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Azamat Usubakunov. 20 years old. 5'11. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Capped at U-20.
Chyngyz Idrisov. 20 years old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Dastan Kylychbekov. 19 years old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Gamzi Nabiev. 19 years old. 5'7. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Capped at U-20.
Manas Karipov. 20 years old. 6'2. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Capped at U-20.
Semetey Daniyarov. 19 years old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Temirlan Kenjebek. 20 years old. 5'8. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.
Yegor Naydenov. 20 years old. 5'6. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.

Forwards :-
Beris Tynarov. 20 years old. 5'10. Dordoy Bishkek. Capped at U-20.
Ergeldi Kuldyshev. 18 years old. 5'9. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Manas Tunubekov. 20 years old. 5'10. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-20.
-----------------------------------------------------------

There is very little change for the Under-20's, and the selection of their squad hasn't really been affected by the Youth Intake as the new batch of players are not yet eligible for the higher age group. Eldiyar Sardarbekov is out with a broken ankle. A couple of players who had previously played for the Under-19's have moved up, but there is an air of stability around this age group of players at the moment.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Saturday 7th November 2015.
Squad Announcement for Kyrgyzstan Under-19's National Team.
International Under-19's Friendly
To Play Turkmenistan (A - Nisa-Cancybil, Asgabat, Turkmenistan - 16/11/15).

Goalkeepers :-
Georgiy Slavnyi. 18 years old. 5'11. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Sarinji Subakojoev. 18 years old. 6'5. FK RemStroiZapad Ural'sk (KAZ). Capped at U-19.
Sergey Skorik. 19 years old. 5'9. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.

Defenders :-
Eldiyar Alimov. 16 years old. 5'11. Alga Bishkek. Uncapped.
Bezkat Ismanov. 19 years old. 5'7. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-20.
Temirlan Grischenko. 16 years old. 6'2. Abdysh-Ata Kant. Uncapped.
Veniamin Idrisov. 16 years old. 6'2. FC Toktogul. Uncapped.
Timur Jumashev. 19 years old. 5'7. Dordoy Bishkek. Uncapped.
Nurtay Kurmantay. 18 years old. 6'1. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Rustamjan Renat. 16 years old. 6'1. Alga-Chuy. Uncapped.

Midfielders :-
Kirill Akhmataliev. 16 years old. 5'9. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Uncapped.
Umarbek Ariye. 16 years old. 6'0. Alga Bishkek. Uncapped.
Yevgeniy Borubaev. 16 years old. 5'5. FC Jalalabat. Uncapped.
Akram Dubanaev. 16 years old. 5'7. Shakhter Kyzyl-Kiya. Uncapped.
Janboto Yrysbek. 18 years old. 6'3. Ala-Too Naryn. Capped at U-19.
Farukh Kaleutin. 16 years old. 5'10. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Uncapped.
Elaman Kashuba. 16 years old. 6'2. Alay Osh. Uncapped.
Sergey Orozbek. 16 years old. 5'7. Alay Osh. Uncapped.
Yevgeniy Pilipas. 16 years old. 5'8. FC Kara-Balta. Uncapped.

Forwards :-
Vladislav Abdullaev. 16 years old. 5'10. Neftchi Kochkor-Ata. Uncapped.
Almaz Omoraliev. 18 years old. 6'1. Alay Osh. Capped at U-19.
Manas Jumashev. 16 years old. 5'10. Alay Osh. Uncapped.
Roman Levchenko. 18 years old. 6'1. Ysyk-Kol Karakol. Capped at U-19.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Older and experienced goalkeeping will form the last line of defence of a very young squad, sprinkled with some more older players who will hopefully help get the best out of the new arrivals. I have no idea why Bezkat Ismanov, Timur Jumashev and Roman Levchenko were not eligible for selection for the trip to Kuwait, but obviously there is some kind of stipulation in place. Moving onwards, names to look out for in the future are very talented centre back Temirlan Grischenko, dead ball specialist midfielder Umarbek Ariye, shadow striker Yevgeniy Pilipas, and striker Manas Jumashev. I'm really looking forward to seeing what these young players can do. I won't get to see it yet though. Every player in that squad apart from Nurtay Kurmantay and Almaz Omoraliev is withdrawn from International duty before we get anywhere near matchday. How annoying! I literally have no idea what the criteria is, but it looks like 16 year old new players can't be selected for age group International duty.

*So at this point, I am now handing control of the Under-19 side to the Assistant Manager. I will once again look to take control of the youngest age group side once the players are old enough to be selected and remain in the squad.*

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015 (cont).

Kuwait Premier League club Al-Qadsia Sporting Club have won the Asian Confederations Cup for the second successive season, beating Jordan's Premier League side Al-Wehdat on penalties in the Final held in Amman. They are the second consecutive Kuwaiti club side to win back to back Confederation Cup titles, and follow in the footsteps of their domestic rivals, Kuwait Sporting Club.

From continental club matters, to domestic ones, and after I rejected the job, Alga Bishkek have appointed their new manager. It's Alexandr Krestinin, a 37 year old Russian who left the Kyrgyzstan National side job after less than three months in charge to make room for my arrival in January of this year. Maybe I won't be able to rely too much on his assistance in the future? He has limited managerial experience at a club level, he was Player/Manager for a period of time at Neftchi Kochkor-Ata back in 2010.

The next appointment was made after the National Squad and staff had met and travelled to Bangladesh, and was a pretty strange one. Abdysh-Ata Kant, who ended the High League season in fourth place and stated their manager hadn't done a good enough job, have now appointed Ulugbek Kurmanbekov, who less than a month ago was sacked by Aldier Kurshab for leading them to the same position in the third tier, and missing out on promotion up to the second tier. Domestic matters will need to be put aside for the time being though. The International Window is upon us once more, starting with the Senior sides trip to face Bangladesh, where a comfortable victory is expected.

Friday 13th November 2015 - 19:30pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Bangabandhu National Stadium, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bangladesh v Kyrgyzstan.
Attendance :- 7,577. Weather :- 34c.

With Davron Askarov suspended for today, I select a centre back partnership of Daniel Tagoe and Shuhrat Rahmonov. Up front, David Tetteh is selected to lead the line, while there is a first opportunity for Nurbek Joldoshov to earn his first International Cap from the bench should the opportunity arise. Despite the evening kick off, it is still exceptionally warm in the Bangladeshi capital this evening.

Valery Kichin gets a booking with just 21 seconds on the clock, but fortunately, it doesn't take much longer than that to open the scoring. A corner was cleared only as far as Baktay Taalaybek, and he managed to find Karim Izrailov. The winger jinked inside his marker, and then struck a low shot that Asaduzzaman Chowdhury got a hand to, but couldn't prevent from creeping inside his post. There wasn't a huge amount more to report in the first half, Vadim Kharchenko having his name taken in the 21st minute. With just moments to go until half time, David Tetteh holds the ball up, and then sends it down the right channel for Viktor Maier. The winger sends it across the face of goal, and at the far post, Izrailov gets between two defenders and reaches the ball first, angling his shot inside the near post and doubling our lead. We now looked comfortable, but we weren't quite finished yet. It was Maier who picked out the pass again, this time a through ball from the edge of the box to Tetteh. The strikers first effort was saved by Chowdhury, but Tetteh collected the rebound and slammed it high into the net to make it 3-0 at the break.

I made one change at the break, Anton Zemlianukhin had a pretty uninspiring first half, and Ahletdin Israilov comes on to replace him in a second half that is now effectively a dead rubber. It's a good chance for the youngster to make a point to the critics who think he isn't cut out for International football. There was another man on the park who had the same idea too, and that was David Tetteh. The restart was very quickly followed by Taalaybek sending the ball down the left. Izrailov had to turn on the burners to keep the ball in. Not only did he manage that, but he centred the ball too. It hit the near angle of post and bar, and fell to Tetteh. He sent a shot right back against the upright, but when it bounced back to him, he once again finished at the second attempt. We were looking good, and young Israilov was working hard, though his tackling could do with some polishing, a poor one earning him a booking on the hour. Midway through the half, I made a pair of changes, removing Taalaybek and Maier, and bringing on Rustamjan Zakirov in the centre, and Nurbek Joldoshov for his International debut on the right wing. Five minutes later, and Israilov sent a pass left for Izrailov, and the winger sent a cross into the path of Tetteh, the striker completing his hatrick with a bullet left footed finish that threatened to take the net clean off the goal frame. He wasn't quite finished yet either, as in the 83rd minute, a similar move saw Tetteh net his fourth of the evening with a volley from another cross by Izrailov. Even a late booking for the four goal hero wasn't going to take the shine off this showing. Clearly Friday the 13th isn't an unlucky day for us!

Bangladesh (0) 0
Kyrgyzstan (3) 6 - Karim Izrailov (3,43), David Tetteh (45,46,74,83)
Vladislav Volkov (capt); Vadim Kharchenko, Daniel Tagoe, Shuhrat Rahmonov, Valery Kichin; Yevgeniy Malinin, Baktay Taalaybek (Rustamjan Zakirov 68); Viktor Maier (Nurbek Joldoshov 68), Anton Zemlianukhin (Ahletdin Israilov 45), Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Akram Umarov, Nwanko Chinedu, Murat Madaliev, Raul' Dzhalilov, Vitalij Lux, Pavel Matyash (GK).
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Shots On Target :- 0 - 13. Man of the Match :- David Tetteh (Kyrgyzstan).

As International matches go, thats one of the more one sided affairs. If there are any complaints, it's that we didn't pad out our goal difference more by finishing more than six of the nearly two dozen chances we created, and that we picked up four bookings in a match where we didn't have to do a great deal to win possession of the ball. Predictably, it's David Tetteh who takes the majority of the plaudits, though Karim Izrailov and Yevgeniy Malinin also get praise from the press for their performances. After making his fifth appearance for his country, Malinin tells the press in an interview that while a comfortable victory had been expected, to do it in that manner was very pleasing. Meanwhile, David Tetteh has now become the nations all time leading goalscorer with eight goals, and could well be the first ever player to make it to double figures in International football in the colours of Kyrgyzstan. The 6-0 win has also matched the nations biggest ever victory from eighteen years ago, a 1997 win against the Maldives.

The win has meant that whatever happens in the next round of matches, we will remain in third spot for now, as Australia have beaten Tajikistan 5-1. However, we do need to beat Jordan in Bishkek next week to have any chance of remaining in the race for a spot in the 2018 World Cup Finals in Russia. The general expectation is that we won't progress past this round, but we have made some progress in this campaign, and hopefully we're on the path to becoming a more consistent and capable nation in the football landscape of this continent.

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015 (cont).

Of the current International squad that is in place for this window of fixtures, a group of eight of them now have me named as one of their favoured personnel in the football world. All eight are players that I have given International debuts to this year. Slowly, I have started to turn the Senior side into 'my team' during 2015, and we are starting to establish a little bit of depth, though it's clear we still have a very long way to go.

As we entered the weekend, attention turned to Monday's double header of age group matches, where the sides would face very different conditions. The Under-20's would play in Malaysia, where temperatures would be in the mid 20's, while the Under-19's would be enduring possible sub zero conditions in Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, Tuesday's final home World Cup Qualifier is predicted to be played at the Dolena that will only be a third full. Clearly, our performance in Dhaka hasn't encouraged the Kyrgyzstani public to turn out, and it seems they will only be there in large numbers when the heavyweights come to Bishkek.

The Under-19's play in the afternoon in front of a sparse crowd in Asgabat, Turkmenistan. In a match played in gale force winds and temperatures of -3c, a first half goal from Almaz Omoraliev gave us a lead in a match that we were head and shoulders above our opponents in. Two of the grey players that were making up the squad found the net in the second half, and our Under-19's would return home with a morale boosting victory. Hopefully, we can soon start calling up some of the Youth Intake. Our Under-20's would be looking to return from Malaysia with an equally impressive win under their belts.

Monday 16th November 2015 - 15:00pm.
International Under-20's Friendly.
Bandaraya Pulau Pinang, George Town, Malaysia.
Malaysia Under-20's v Kyrgyzstan Under-20's.
Attendance :- 185. Weather :- 27c.

We travelled to South East Asia with a squad that was strong, but needed to build up it's exposure and experience when it came to International football. We certainly did a good job in the first half as the away side against a nation that were perceived to be better than us at this level, though maybe not at Senior level. We kept the ball nicely, and when we needed to, defended stoutly, the only complaint was that we didn't create a huge amount ourselves.

I made three of my six alloted changes at half time, making moves at right back, centre back, and striker as I tried to get some players some game time. Malaysia started to make some chances as the second half progressed, and Odiljon Abdurahmanov did a pretty poor job of stopping Adam Aidil Iskandar Rosli from getting past him, but thankfully the substitute striker sliced his shot well wide. Our opponents were much more clinical in the 65th minute, when Ahmad Khairil Anuar Ahmad Zamri crossed from the right, and Mohd Farhan Roslan found the net with a powerful close range volley to break the deadlock. We could, even should, have been level within five minutes. Chyngyz Idrisov sent a through ball right between the Malaysian centre backs, and Manas Tunubekov ran off the shoulder of a defender and in on goal, drawing the keeper out, but slotting his low shot just the wrong side of the post as far as we were concerned. And our punishment was swift. The goal kick was sent up the park, and Rosli sent it to Ahmad Zamri, who fought through a challenge, and sent a low shot under Ilim Omorov's dive, and made it 2-0.

With the game now looking beyond us, I made three more changes, with the other centre defender and both centre midfielders changed around. But Malaysia were now pretty rampant, and Elhan Temirbaev had to almost man handle Roslan to stop him getting into our penalty box, giving away a free kick in the process. Mohd Hafiz Azhar took it quickly, and sent it towards the far post, Rosli's initial shot stopped by Omorov, but Muhd Redzuan Suhaidi is on hand to prod the loose ball across the line and further extend our deficit. With fifteen minutes to go, we could have easily absolutely collapsed at this point, but we rallied a little and Dastan Kylychbekov was released into space down the right. He cut inside, and sent a cross to the far post, Yegor Naydenov rising above two defenders and heading back across goal, and Kylychbekov was unmarked, and able to find the net for what would prove to be no more than just a consolation effort.

Malaysia Under-20's (0) 3 - Mohd Farhan Roslan (65), Ahmad Khairil Anuar Ahmad Zamri (71), Muhd Redzuan Suhaidi (75)
Kyrgyzstan Under-20's (0) 1 - Dastan Kylychbekov (79)
Ilim Omorov; Danila Sokirchenko (Azim Azarov 45), Odiljon Abduhrahmanov (Almazbek Malikov 71), Orozbek Japarov (Bakyt Rysbek 45), Elhan Temirbaev; Chyngyz Idrisov (Artur Il'yaev 71), Manas Karipov (Semetey Daniyarov 71); Dastan Kylychbekov, Azamat Usubakunov, Yegor Naydenov; Beris Tynarov (capt - Manas Tunubekov 71).
Unused Substitutes :- Ramazan Adigamov (GK), Boris Drozdetskiy, Gamzi Nabiev, Temirlan Kenjebek, Ergeldi Kuldyshev, Arstanbek Manasov (GK).
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Shots on Target :- 8 - 1. Man of the Match :- Adam Aidil Iskandar Rosli (Malaysia).

Good possession, but a lack of chances created, and once Malaysia got their first, the confidence levels went through the roof for the hosts, and they threatened to tear us to bits late on. That said, I'm still optimistic that over the coming months and years, we can push on with this level, and as the players start to adapt to International football, I'm hoping we can start to pick off sides above us in the pecking order.

[neilhoskins77]

November 2015 (cont).

Tuesday 17th November 2015 - 19:30pm.
FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers, Asian Section, Second Round, Group Two.
Stadion Dolena Omurzakova, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan v Jordan.
Attendance :- 8,284. Weather :- 14c.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a red letter day for us. We want to be where nations like Jordan are right now, and we need to push our own expectations of ourselves when we play countries like them in competitive games, especially when we're at home. In this Window, it would have been better to play this match first, and then go to Dhaka, as squad rotation is required. Davron Askarov is available again at centre back, and he replaces Shuhrat Rahmonov in the side. There is another change in the back four, with Nwanko Chinedu replacing Valery Kichin at left back, while further up the park, Yevgeniy Malinin is not fit enough to start another match today, and is replaced by Rustamjan Zakirov.

We get off to the worst possible start, Alaa' Al-Shaqran launched a hail mary free kick from halfway into our box, and Hamza Al-Dardour latched onto it and beat Vladislav Volkov at his near post to open the scoring with just six minutes on the clock. Rustamjan Zakirov earned a booking for his protests, he felt that the Jordan striker was offside. Zakirov's inconsistent start to the match continued in the 20th minute. When Vadim Kharchenko played it into his feet, Zakirov tried to do too much when a pair of Jordanian's closed him down. He lost the ball to Mohammed Al-Dmeiri, and he quickly sent it on to Al-Dardour. Our defence was split open with a through ball, and Tha'er Bawab sprinted onto it, rounded Volkov and made it 2-0. The remainder of the first half was taken up with the ref taking names as he showed a tendency to show yellow cards for any kind of real tackle. Both sides had three each by the break, with Vadim Kharchenko and Nwanko Chinedu having their names taken for us.

The bookings continued in the second half, with Davron Askarov and Daniel Tagoe added to the growing list of red shirted players on cautions. Meanwhile, Abdallah Deeb curled a beautiful cross into the box, Bawab headed it on goal, and Volkov made a superb point blank save, unaware that the offside flag had already been raised. With just over an hour gone, I made some changes, with Davron Askarov, Nwanko Chinedu and Anton Zemlianukhin all replaced, Shuhrat Rahmonov coming on in a now three man defence, Ahletdin Israilov replacing Zemlianukhin, and Vitalij Lux joining David Tetteh up front as we search for more options at the sharp end of the park. Instead, all that happened was that Karim Izrailov became the latest of our players to be booked, and Jordan started counter attacking at pace, Mussab Al-Laham unleashing a volley at goal that Volkov did very well to keep out. He didn't give Volkov a hope with fifteen minutes to go, this time hitting a left footed curling shot from the edge of the box that found the far top corner. Bawab missed a chance to inflict more misery on us, dragging a shot wide when he should have scored, the ref didn't waste his opportunity though, booking Tetteh and Viktor Maier in the late stages, as our World Cup hopes were ended, and we collected a ridiculous eight yellow cards in the process.

Kyrgyzstan (0) 0
Jordan (2) 3 - Hamza Al-Dardour (6), Tha'er Bawab (20), Mussab Al-Laham (75)
Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Daniel Tagoe (Shuhrat Rahmonov 61), Davron Askarov (capt), Nwanko Chinedu (Vitalij Lux 61); Rustamjan Zakirov, Baktay Taalaybek; Viktor Maier, Anton Zemlianukhin (Ahletdin Israilov 61), Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh.
Unused Substitutes :- Faruh Abitov, Maxim Agapov (GK), Akram Umarov, Valery Kichin, Yevgeniy Malinin, Murat Madaliev, Nurbek Joldoshov, Raul' Dzhalilov, Pavel Matyash (GK).
Possession :- 55% - 45%. Shots On Target :- 2 - 11. Man of the Match :- Hamza Al-Dardour (Jordan).

The 45 year old ref from Brunei has had a bit of a shocker in that match to be fair. That aside, the reality is that we went out with a bit of a whimper there, and we'll now need to earn a result across the border in Tajikistan in March to protect our third place and be able to call this a successful campaign of sorts at least. We'll go into that match missing a total of three players through suspension, with Vadim Kharchenko, Nwanko Chinedu and David Tetteh all out of that match.

The fans are a bit concerned after that match, but the squad remain upbeat despite that result. Next time there is an International Window, there will be a new staff member joining the party, as recently retired winger Edgar Bernhardt has been recruited to help with the Coaching for our Under-19's squad.

The day after our defeat in Bishkek, and as the players leave International camp, the latest FIFA World Rankings are released. We have managed to move up one spot into 147th place, jumping back above our neighbours and next opponents, Tajikistan. There are new World leaders in the form of Argentina, while the most improved nation in the last month are Liberia, who jumped up sixteen spots to move to 136th place.

As the month came to an end, the Asian Champions League came to a conclusion, and Swiss former Tottenham Hotspur manager, Christian Gross, led Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli to the Title, as they beat FC Seoul of South Korea in the Final. In form Syrian striker Omar Al-Soma is named as MVP for the competition this season, the 26 year old has notched 10 goals in just seven caps for his nation, and he managed to net nine times in fifteen appearances for his club in Asia's biggest club tournament.

[neilhoskins77]

December 2015.

One of the privilidges of being an International manager, is getting to vote when some of the major awards are handed our late in the year. I'm invited to vote in the World Golden Ball voting first, and I select Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodriguez in that order. I also get one vote in the Asian Footballer of the Year ballot, which I use to vote for Leicester City and Japan striker, Shinji Okazaki. As far as I'm concerned, his 17 goals in 24 appearances in England statistically trumps Iranian veteran Ali Karimi's huge scoring output in the Iranian League.

As we move towards the end of the calendar year, the Japanese public are getting excited to see the 2015 FIFA World Club Championships in Yokohama. They'll be hoping to be treated to seeing they're own Gambo Osaka side pitted against some of the World's best, including FC Barcelona, River Plate of Argentina, and CF America of Mexico. It wasn't going to be a good opening day for the Japanese fans though, as they were stunned to see their side beaten by Amicale FC. Never heard of them? Don't worry, you're not the only ones. The amateur side from Vanuatu were beaten Oceania Champions League Finalists in both 2011 and 2014, and went one better this year. They beat Gambo 3-0 to open the tournament in stunning fashion.

The South Sea nations run would come to an abrupt end in the Quarter-Finals, where they were battered 4-0 by the Mexicans of CF America. Quite honestly, it could have been double figures. The shocks were not over yet though, as African Champions League winners, TP Mazembe of DR Congo defeated the Asian winners of Al-Ahli from Saudi Arabia. Just like the Oceania side before them, the Africans run would also be ended abruptly, though they would put up more of a fight in the first Semi-Final, even taking the lead against River Plate. The second half would soon right that, and the South Americans would run out 3-1 winners to book their place in Sunday's showpiece Final, where they would be joined by Barcelona, who beat Club America by the same scoreline. European domination would continue in the Final, though their fans would be forced to wait against a stubborn Argentine side, two late goals eventually landing Barca their third World Club Championship. The plaudits were given to Luis Suarez, who won the top goalscorer and best player awards.

The December version of the FIFA World Rankings see us hold on to 147th spot, with Bermuda the most improved nation, moving up five places from 138th to 133rd. Argentina remain on top, but there is very much a European theme behind them, with Germany, Belgium, Holland, Portugal and Spain rounding out the top half a dozen. Brazil are 7th, with England in 8th spot, Romania and Colombia complete the top ten. Wales are in 12th, in between Chile and Italy. France are down in 27th spot, behind both Ivory Coast and Iceland. There is a very credible joint 29th spot for Northern Ireland, with Scotland in 48th, and the Republic of Ireland in 51st. Some new fixtures have been announced for Kyrgyzstan's age group sides in the next International Window in March. The Under-19's will host Oman on Thursday 24th March 2016, while the Under-20's will travel to face Sri Lanka on the same day. The year ends with a 21 year old player retiring as he can't break into the side with his third tier club. It shows that progress is still required domestically in Kyrgyzstan if the National Team and it's age groups are to be able to flourish. It's now been a year since I took charge, and it's had some up's, and some downs.

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2015 :- (only Senior matches count towards the stats kept by the game).
GP:- 10. W:- 4. D:- 3. L:- 3. GF:- 17. GA:- 10. GD:- +7. Win Percentage:- 40%.

Player of the Year :- Baktay Taalaybek. 7 matches, 7.39 average rating, 3 assists, 1 man of the match.

Best Eleven :- Vladislav Volkov; Vadim Kharchenko, Daniel Tagoe, Davron Askarov, Valery Kichin; Murat Madaliev, Anton Zemlianukhin; Viktor Maier, Baktay Taalaybek, Karim Izrailov; David Tetteh.
Substitutes :- Maxim Agapov (GK), Shuhrat Rahmonov, Rustamjan Zakirov, Ahletdin Israilov, Mirlan Mirzaev, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Vitalij Lux.
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World Golden Ball & World Player of the Year :- (both ended with the same result)
1st:- Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina), 2nd:- James Rodriguez (Real Madrid & Colombia), 3rd:- Juan Mata (Manchester United & Spain).

World Team of the Year:-
Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich & Germany),
Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich & Germany), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester United & France), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund & Germany), Marcelo (Real Madrid & Brazil),
Juan Mata (Manchester United & Spain), Oscar (Chelsea & Brazil),
Lionel Messi (Barcelona & Argentina), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid & Colombia), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid & Portugal),
Luiz Suarez (Barcelona & Uruguay).

Asian Footballer of the Year:-
1st:- Ali Karimi (Persepolis Tehran & Iran), 2nd:- Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City & Japan), 3rd:- Takashi Inui (SD Eibar & Japan).

Asian Young Footballer of the Year:-
Dang Ngoc Vinh Quang (Metalist Kharkiv & Vietnam).
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