Time for you to Jump on the Kazakhstan Bandwagon

August 16th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

If you spent any time on this site leading up to and during the World Cup you know that Angola was my adopted team. The Palancas brought me much joy and I like to think that I contributed to their 23rd place or so finish in the World Cup. While I will still support Angola in its quest to qualify in 2010, I have to confess that my heart really belongs to Kazakhstan. The Central Asian country was my home for a bit and while I never actually saw anyone playing football there, that doesn’t mean I didn’t grow to support the national team, the Snow Leopards.

Kazakhstan made their European debut today with a convincing 0-0 draw at Belgium in Euro 2008 qualifying. First Belgium, next the world.

According to the press accounts, the Snow Leopards weren’t a dominant force, but none of that matters when you can walk away with a road point knowing full well that Belgium will have to pay a visit to the always challenging Central Asian Steppe in the future.

Yes, it is a good day to be a Snow Leopard supporter, something I am sure many of you will become in the weeks, months and decades ahead.

For the rest of the day’s results, go here. For additional news and views from the footie world, check out The Offside.

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Fernie

is Borat really from kazahkstan ?
rad|x

we all are from kazahkstan. in kazahkstan soccer plays you. that’s for sure.
nicko

um, does anyone know why a “central asian steppe” country plays as a part of europe and not a part of asia?

I mean, I can understand Russia, as its population centre is in the west, I can understand Israel for security reasons, Turkey is pushing it, but at least a small part of it is actually IN europe, but wtf is with Kazakstan???
AP

Kazakhstan has as much geographic claim as Turkey, since a slice of Kazakhstan lies to the west of the Ural river, which is the arbitrary but technically accepted division line between Europe and Asia.
nicko

wow you’re right, the proportion of Kazakhstan in europe is about the same as the proportion of turkey in europe – ah well, once the mighty asian confederation starts to rival UEFA I’m sure they’ll come running back ;-)
Robbie Quaid

Best players for them are all of Russian or Slavic decent!
Hafiz Qayib

Question: does anyone know why a “central asian steppe” country [Kazakhstan] plays as a part of Europe and not a part of Asia?

Answer by Robbie Quaid: Best players for them are all of Russian or Slavic decent!

My two cents: Nice argument, Robbie. By the same token, Brazil should play in Africa and France in CONCACAF.

This is not to doubt Kazakstan legitimacy to play for UEFA, of course.