Kazakhstan vs. Austria - Preview, Team News, Lineups

Preview

In a highly anticipated friendly, Kazakhstan will host Austria at the Astana Arena on March 23, 2023. Both teams will be looking to build momentum ahead of their upcoming qualifying matches later this year.

Kazakhstan, ranked 128th in the FIFA World Rankings, will be hoping to continue their recent good form. They have won two of their last three matches, including a 2-0 victory over Andorra in their most recent outing.

Austria, ranked 34th in the FIFA World Rankings, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Serbia in their last match. They will be confident of getting a positive result against Kazakhstan, having won four of their last five meetings.

Team News

Kazakhstan will be without the services of several key players, including midfielder Baktiyar Zainutdinov and defender Nuraly Alip. However, they will be boosted by the return of defender Serhiy Malyi from injury.

Austria will also be without a number of players, including defender Stefan Lainer and midfielder Xaver Schlager. However, they will be able to call upon the services of Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer.

Lineups

Kazakhstan (4-3-3): Igor Shatskiy; Samat Smakov, Serhiy Malyi, Yan Vorogovskiy, Aslan Darabayev; Gafurzhan Suyumbayev, Baktiyar Zainutdinov, Nuraly Alip; Roman Murtazayev, Islambek Kuat, Abat Aimbetov

Austria (4-2-3-1): Heinz Lindner; Andreas Ulmer, Martin Hinteregger, Alexander Dragovic, Stefan Lainer; Xaver Schlager, Marcel Sabitzer; Marko Arnautovic, Zlatko Junuzovic, Valentino Lazaro; Michael Gregoritsch