Kazakhstan vs Moldova – News and Probable Lineups

On Friday, two teams in search of their inaugural victory in the UEFA Nations League this campaign will clash at the Astana Arena, as Group C3 opponents Cazaquistão meet with Moldávia.

The Hawks are eager to break a four-match winless streak against a Tricolorii side that has yet to secure a win in any of their fixtures since 2024.

Match overview

Cazaquistão remains optimistic that new head coach John van ‘t Schip can uplift the national team, but this week’s encounter is viewed as a crucial match that they must win.

The Hawks, currently holding the 111th position in the FIFA rankings, seldom enter a match favored, but a fixture against the 159th-ranked Moldávia presents a prime chance to secure maximum points.

However, Van ‘t Schip’s squad struggled to overcome the 123rd-ranked Faroe Islands in their opening match, needing an equalizer from Temirlan Erlanov to achieve a 1-1 draw.

On Tuesday, Cazaquistão faced a 2-1 defeat against Eslováquia, and although the result was predictable, the hosts have now managed only one victory in their last eight competitive encounters.

Nevertheless, the more hopeful among the home supporters might point out that the Hawks equalized to 1-1 at halftime, but Ramazan Karimov’s goal was merely a consolation after David Hancko scored a late winner for Eslováquia.

Additionally, Cazaquistão has triumphed in three of their previous four home matches, keeping clean sheets in all three victories and losing just once during that period—1-0 against País de Gales in September 2025.

In the Moldávian camp, head coach Lilian Popescu has been managing the side since September 2025, yet he is still searching for his first victory in charge.

The Tricolorii kicked off their Nations League C campaign with a 2-0 loss to Eslováquia on September 26, and they didn’t fare much better in their most recent match, settling for a 1-1 draw with Faroe Islands.

Popescu’s team mirrored their Friday opponents in that match, needing a second-half goal from Sergiu Perciun to equalize and earn a point.

Moldávia enters this third Group C3 contest without a victory in their last 17 matches, having suffered 15 losses and secured five draws during this stretch that dates back to a 1-0 Nations League win over Andorra in November 2024.

Despite being the underdogs on Friday, supporters may be cautiously optimistic after noting that the visitors have scored in six of their last seven away encounters; however, they have lost five of those matches, including a significant 11-1 defeat against Noruega in September 2025.

Team News

Cazaquistão may find themselves without midfielder Islambek Kuat on Friday, due to a muscle injury sustained during the clash against Eslováquia on Tuesday.

In case he is unavailable, the versatile Damir Kasabulat might partner Zhasulan Amir and Nauryzbek Zhagorov in the midfield area.

In other news, the hosts will also be missing 18-year-old forward Dastan Satpaev because of a thigh injury, though Ramazan Karimov should spearhead the attack, supported by attacking midfielder Dinmukhamed Karaman.

As for Moldávia, they are expected to deploy Petru Popescu as their striker once again, with Dmitri Mandricenco playing just behind the 24-year-old.

Defensively, Catalin Cucos, Iurie Iovu, and Mihail Gherasimencov of the Vancouver Whitecaps will likely make up the visitors’ defensive line, protecting goalkeeper Dumitru Celeadnic.

Cazaquistão probable starting XI:

Pokatilov; Ashirbek, Erlanov, Alip; Basmanov, Zhagorov, Kasabulat, Amir, Bekbolat; Karaman; Karimov

Moldávia probable starting XI:

Celeadnic; Cucos, Iovu, Gerasimencov; Forov, Fratea, Baboglo, Stina, Reabciuk; Mandricenco; Popescu

Cazaquistão will be eager to secure their first win under their new head coach, and with an impressive home record this year, the hosts hold a sense of cautious optimism.

Moldávia may find the back of the net once more, but given that they have lost seven and drawn three of their last ten away fixtures, it would be surprising to see the underdogs escape another loss.