Temirlan Anarbekov: “I want to become number one in Kazakhstan”

- How did you start your footbal career and why did you become a goalkeeper?

- I started to play football late, at the age of 11. The team in Atyrau need players. I tried. At first I wanted to be a field player, but I was not taken. They took me to the second squad, there was no goalkeeper. I was put on the gate, I was not so tall at that time, I stood, took a few shots, then the coach offered to play in the goal all the time, I agreed. 

- How did you get into the football academy “Kairat”?

- We had a trip to Almaty, there I was noticed and invited to the selection. I talked to my parents and made a decision. I passed the screening and I was accepted to the academy. 

At first it was hard. But I love football, I wanted to develop. At that time I did not even know that Kazakhstan has an academy of this level. I then for the first time saw the natural field. And I really liked it. Talked to the guys, a very good team, coaches are great, taught me a lot. I am grateful to them for everything. 

- You were one of the leaders of the Kazakhstan U-15team. Would you tell us what helped the team to transform at the end of the qualifying round?

- We started the qualificiation and focused more on defense. After the coach decided to make changes, we began to play more in attack. The scheme has changed. As a result, we defeated Scotland and played well against Spain. We failed to promote but got experience and progress. 

- What would you say about the game against Spain? As a goalkeeper, you are probably not particularly satisfied, but we scored three away goals.

- We started the match with Spain in a tight spot, but then we started scoring, and I noticed that even the local fans applauded us. Nobody expected such a game. 

- How did you learn about the first call-up to the national team?

- I did not expect to be called up to the national team. Then my friends and parents sent me the list and saw my name there.

 - Gintaras Stauce, a very experienced goalkeeper coach, is working in the national team now. How do you like  training under his guidance?

- Working with Stauce is very different from what I've seen before. Even during the warm-up you need concentration, there are hard training sessions, very intense, fast. It is after these trainings that I feel that I am growing. 

- Have you adopted to the national team yet?

-  Yes, I'm already used to it. I train hard, I want to progress and become the number one goalkeeper in Kazakhstan. 

- This season you left FC “Kairat” and started to play for “Zhenis” - is it your decision or the club's?

- More initiative came from the club. In winter, the leadership of “Kairat” called me and asked if I want to play for “Zhenis”, they said there was a proposal. I agreed, but no one guaranteed me playing time, they said I would compete for this right. 

- In the semifinals of the League Cup you played against “Kairat” and became the hero of the match. Was that day special for you?

- Initially, I thought that I would not play. By lunchtime the coach called me and asked if I was ready. I said I was ready. I wanted to play my best in that game. But I was not particularly happy, held back, I wanted to show respect for “Kairat”.

- In that very penalty shootout you knew how Kairat players would shoot, didn't you?

- Yes, I knew. I know well how Seyidakhmet kicks. I knew where Andrei Ulshin would hit as well.

- Did anyone from “Kairat” congratulate you after this game?

- The teammates and then the coach congratulated me. Praised, said that next year they would expect me back, I will fight for the place of number one in “Kairat”.