Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Early start suits all in Kazakhstan

/noticias.info/ The Kazakh Super League is to start unexpectedly early this season in a bid to boost the chances of the national team. The curtain will now be raised on 8 March as part of a Football Federation of Kazakhstan (FSK) initiative to make room for more national team get-togethers.

Nine training camps
"National team coaching staff have planned nine training camps for 2008," said FSK general secretary Maksim Lebedev. "Our team is to start their FIFA World Cup 2010 campaign in August and we need these windows in order to approach qualifying in the best possible condition. Next season will be even easier to change as we will have 14 clubs in the top flight, not 16. Thus we will have less matchdays and more options for the calendar."

Club backing
Super League coaches have expressed unanimous support for the plan, with some even stating that the unusually early start will benefit them, given last season's late finish. "We got our players back from their vacations still in good condition," said FC Tobol Kostanay coach Askar Kozhabergenov. "That made our job easier in some ways. However, it is still too early to give a definitive opinion, as team form can also be affected by the long absence of players on international duty. We're not going to blame the federation, but this could be a concern."

Aktobe ambition
Kazakh Cup holders Tobol and defending champions FK Aktobe have already started their campaigns after contesting the Kazakhstan Super Cup on 2 March. Aktobe won that match 2-0 and will be optimistic ahead of the new season. In contrast, last year's third-placed side FC Shakhtyor Karagandy are already sounding alarmed. "The main headache is our attack," said Shakhtyor president Grigoriy Loriya. "The season promises to be tough, but we're aiming to solve all our problems, pick up speed and put in a worthy performance in the UEFA Cup."

Vostok challenge
Elsewhere, FC Vostok will be eager to kick on after an impressive unbeaten run at the end of last season took them out of relegation danger. That turnaround in fortunes owed much to the appointment of Aleksandr Golokolosov as coach, and the Ukrainian believes his team are ready to trouble the traditional leaders. "Our budget is double what it was last year and we've successfully integrated some youngsters," he said. "We're aiming to make life difficult for the major clubs and not give points away cheaply. It should be an interesting and thrilling season." notas_de_prensa_archivo