The absence of first-choice goalkeeper Yuriy Novikov has forced Kazakhstan to make changes in naming their squad for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying trip to Portugal.

First win
Coach Arno Pijpers has drafted in uncapped FK Aktobe goalkeeper Zhasulan Dekhkanov to bolster the ranks, with FC Shakhtyor Karagandy custodian Novikov unavailable. Having drawn two then lost two in Group A, Kazakhstan are still seeking a first-ever UEFA European Championship qualifying victory as they take on Portugal in Coimbra.

Kazakhstan squad
Goalkeepers: Zhasulan Dekhkanov (FK Aktobe), David Loria (FC Astana), Alexandr Mokin (FC Astana).

Defenders: Yegor Azovskiy (FC Astana), Aleksandr Kuchma (FC Astana), Maksim Zhalmagambetov (FC Astana), Aleksandr Familtsev (FC Tobol Kostanay), Samat Smakov (FC Kairat Almaty).

Midfielders: Kairat Utabayev (FC Kairat Almaty), Andrei Karpovitch (FC Kairat Almaty), Andrei Travin (FC Alma-Ata), Nikita Khokhlov (FC Astana), Eduard Sergienko (FC Astana), Sergey Larin (FC Alma-Ata), Ruslan Baltiev (FC Moskva), Kairat Ashirbekov (FK Aktobe), Peraly Aliyev (FC Astana).

Forwards: Dmitriy Byakov (FC Astana), Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev (FC Tobol Kostanay), Maksim Azovskiy (FC Astana), Murat Tleshev (FC Astana).