Asian Cup 2019: Kyrgyzstan (Preview)

It may not be regularly advisable, but if you do accidentally find yourself casting your eye over the most recent set of FIFA World Rankings, Kyrgyzstan’s place as Asia’s 12th best side, ahead of the likes of Uzbekistan and Qatar may have you scratching your head a little. While the calculations are widely up for debate, it can’t be questioned how far the White Falcons have come over the last World Cup cycle, heading to their debut Asian Cup campaign in positive mood to continue in changing perceptions across the continent.

Four years ago, we were given the first opportunity to dissect the new qualifying schedule for both World Cup and Asian Cup campaigns. For some (mainly the more established nations) the drawn-out nature of the qualifiers meant for a larger number of mismatched encounters, yet for those at the other end of the pyramid, we were promised regular competitive football, against the whole spectrum of quality plying their trade in Asian international football.

Kyrgyzstan epitomise the benefits this system has produced. They only played four matches in total, when qualifying for World Cup’s in 2010 & 2014, while they only featured in the inadequately named AFC Challenge Cup in their failed bids to qualify for Asian Cup’s in 2011 & 2015. What teams in the middle to lower order of things required (see similar stories felt by Philippines and Turkmenistan) was competitive football, over the course of the whole cycle, in which development could notceably be achieved.

A campaign which featured 14 matches, facing off home and away against the likes of Australia and Jordan, to Myanmar and Macau, Kyrgyzstan couldn’t have asked for a more rounded four years. From it, they blossomed, pushing the former two close in World Cup qualifying, before heading through to the Asian Cup comprehensively against the latter pair, illustrating their full attacking capabilities. The UEFA Nations League has received plenty of praise of late, but the AFC can justifiably point out that their qualifying procedure offers the same parity, only with an early extension of featuring alongside the continent’s very best.

Those games against Australia will go down in Kyrgyz footballing history; a narrow 2-1 defeat in Bishkek, followed by a modest 3-0 reverse in Canberra, a tie where they were severely hamstrung into fielding a weakened line-up due to visa issues. To go on to pick up 4 points against Jordan, including a clean sheet away in Amman, and the progress was all to see. Onto Asian Cup qualifying, but for a few slip-ups, passage was comfortably achieved with a 5-1 win over their nearest rivals Myanmar on neutral turf, sealing progression to their first continental appearance in their history with a game to spare.

A history which has taken time to catch fire. Since independence in 1992, Kyrgyz football hasn’t developed as quick as their neighbours has; Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and in particular Uzbekistan have all experienced greater success over the last 30 years. However, with the appointment of two Russian coaches over the last five years, Sergey Dvoiryankov and current coach Aleksandr Krestinin, the team has paved a way for an upward trajectory.

Under Dyoiryankov, a foundation was built on several nationalised recruits. Reaching from their former USSR compatriots and their European diaspora, to African born players playing their trade in the national league, the technical standard was quickly boosted. Their presence remains in the squad some six years later, however, it’s more a case of complementing their existing talent, rather than leading it.

Ghanaian centre back Daniel Tagoe (now married to a Kyrgyzstani) still features heavily in the starting line-up, Edgar Bernhardt who grew up in Germany, skippers the national team, while striker Vitalij Lux returned to bolster the attack of the country he left as a 6-year-old. It’s been a tough pursuit, that has cost the FFKR plenty, in scouting, logistics and paperwork, but the players who have come in have seen marked improvements made elsewhere.

While Dvoiryankov remodelled the personnel, Krestinin has worked his magic on the pitch. Kyrgyzstan have been regularly solid but little more, exiting to the likes of Maldives and Turkmenistan in their two most recent Asian Challenge Cup group stages. Krestinin has since introduced a more balanced approach, which has seen a transition to an attack focussed set up, enabling the very best of the key players in their armoury.

Anton Zemilanukhin, a left winger who has a wealth of experience in several outposts across the East (from Kazakhstan to Thailand), became the pivotal figure in qualification, scoring 10 across both qualification stages, whilst making a name for himself in the Australian media along the way. His pace, alongside the consistency of Lux in attack, with fellow German based Viktor Maier galloping down the right flank made for a varied forward line.

Another tactical point of note involves defensive anchor Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov. A holding midfielder in the main, the 23-year-old has been pivotal to Kyrgyzstan’s setup over the last couple of years, adding flexibility and positional awareness to the side. Under no illusions, given their calibre of opponents, Duyshobekov will likely operate as a central defender to start with, in a back five, but has the capacity to manoeuvre forward with possession, either into a holding role, or to burst forward into attack.

With an exciting breed of players, all isn’t so rosy ahead of the Asian Cup however. Zemilanukhin has struggled for fitness and minutes over the last year, failing in Kazakhstan, before picking up injuries upon return to his homeland. Budget restrictions have also limited the number of players plying their trade overseas in returning in warm up friendlies; Valery Kichin (playing in Russia), Azamat Baimatov (Indonesia), Lux and Maier (both Germany) have been missing for a while, leading to questions over consistency or whether they’ll even be able to select their best squad come January.

The final point is sheer quality. Even with their sprinkling of overseas based talents, Kyrgyzstan’s world ranking is misleading, and will likely feel the gap in quality in each of their three matches. Facing an old foe from their Challenge Cup days long passed in the Philippines, offers Krestinin’s side the best chance of points, who’s tactics alone could put them into contention.

Key Men

Head Coach - Aleksandr Krestinin (RUS)

The Russian coach is highly credited for Kyrgyzstan’s upward trajectory at all levels of the game since taking charge in 2014, highlighted by the country’s achievement of qualifying for the Asian Cup, their first major tournament since independence. Has shared his role as national team head coach, with club side Dordoi Bishkek over the last year, securing the domestic double in his first full season.

Star Player - Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov

Has become Krestinin’s key man in both defensive and attacking play, despite a role that’ll likely see him stationed in amongst their back five for large parts of their campaign. Has considerable experience of playing outside of Kyrgyzstan, most recently in Malaysia, but also the confidence to take responsibility and dictate play from deep.

Fitness Concern - Anton Zemlianukhin

The side’s talisman in front of goal and leading marksman scoring 10 times over the course of qualification. Operating in behind the lone front man, the inverted winger has struggled for fitness and regular game time after returning home from an unsuccessful spell in Kazakhstan at the start the year, has still the quality to hurt any opponent on the counter.

Young Prospect - Odilzhon Aburakhmaoev

One of Kyrgyzstan’s most impressive performers at this year’s Asian Games, as the White Falcons made South Korea sweat along their way to military exemption. Has proven to be a worthy option in behind the Kyrgyz attack, appearing off the bench impressively a few times for the seniors in the last year.