In a qualifying elite round match for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, Kazakhstan defeated the team of Netherlands, QazMonitor reports.
Birzhan Orazov scored within the first 22 seconds, and Douglas Junior secured the lead in the seventh minute. Kazakhstan dominated the game, securing a 2-0 victory in the second half. This victory marked Kazakhstan's fifth consecutive win in elite round Group A, securing their spot in the World Cup, which will be hosted in Uzbekistan.
This will be Kazakhstan's third consecutive participation in the World Cup and their fourth in history. In the previous World Cup, Kazakhstan finished fourth, and in 2016, they reached the round of 16.
The 2024 World Cup, featuring 24 teams, is scheduled for September 6–October 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The draw for the tournament will take place in the summer.
The victorious match at the Palace of Wrestling named after Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov, was attended by President Tokayev. The national team also received support from the WBO, IBF boxing Janibek Alimkhanuly, Kazakh Football Federation’s president Adilet Barmenkulov, Kazakhstan's national football team’s head coach Magomed Adiyev and goalkeeper Igor Shatsky, according to the press service of Akorda.