Kazakhstan and Belgium seek first points
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Article summary
Something will give in Astana when Kazakhstan and Belgium − both without a point after two Group A matches − face one another for the third time in UEFA European Championship history.
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Article body
Kazakhstan made their UEFA European Championship debut in a UEFA EURO 2008 qualifier against Belgium and have been drawn against the Red Devils again in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying Group A.
Match background
• Kazakhstan's record in two games against Belgium reads W0 D2 L0 (W0 D1 L0 at home).
• Having become a member of UEFA too late to enter qualifying for UEFA EURO 2004, Kazakhstan made their maiden appearance in the competition in Brussels, earning a creditable 0-0 draw with Belgium on 16 August 2006.
• The return fixture also gave Kazakhstan reason to celebrate as they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. Goals from Karel Geraerts and Kevin Mirallas gave Belgium a commanding early lead, but Dmitriy Byakov pulled one back before the break and Samat Smakov then hit a 77th-minute leveller.
