FIFA Technical Expert Dariusz Pasieka Visits KFF Academy

As part of the cooperation, the specialist provides mentoring support to the FIFA talent coach, contributing to the development of all areas of his professional work. The expert also took part in monitoring the development of the KFF Academy’s 2011-born players, carrying out a comprehensive assessment of their progress.

The specialist gave a positive assessment of the technical level of the young Kazakh footballers. According to him, despite the difference in physical attributes, the KFF Academy U-16 players made a strong impression in terms of technical ability and combination play.

During his visit to Kazakhstan, Dariusz Pasieka attended the QJ League Matchday 6 fixture between KFF Academy U-16 and Shakhter U-17, after which he shared his thoughts:

“I have not seen the team play against international opponents, but I watched their match against Shakhter U-17. There was a noticeable difference in physicality between the two teams. Nevertheless, I did not see a major gap in technical quality. On the contrary, the team made a very good impression from a technical point of view. I liked the way the players progressed the ball and handled possession. At this stage, results may not always be ideal, but that is not our main priority. The most important thing is the development of the players.”

Dariusz Pasieka also shared his thoughts by referring to world-class players:

“I know that in Eastern European countries coaches often prioritise physically strong players. However, in my opinion, this is not entirely the right approach. We need intelligent players. There are many examples of this in world football. One of the best examples is Luka Modrić. In his youth, he was not selected for the national team because he was considered too small physically. Today, he is already 40 years old and continues to perform at the highest level. He has delivered outstanding performances for both the national team and Real Madrid, as well as in major international competitions.

“Therefore, we should not overlook players who may not be tall but possess great character, a strong mentality and excellent technique. They will continue to develop. We must give them the opportunity to grow and express themselves on the pitch,” the expert noted.

The KFF notes that cooperation with FIFA under the Talent Development Scheme programme is an important part of the federation’s long-term strategy for developing elite youth football in Kazakhstan. The KFF Academy continues to build a unified development environment for young players, with a focus on technical improvement, modern coaching methodology and the preparation of footballers for the national teams.

Such visits by international experts not only help assess the level of young footballers, but also contribute to the introduction of best international practices into the training process, improving coaching standards and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the talent development system.

The KFF emphasises that its priority remains the long-term development of players, the creation of a competitive environment and the preparation of footballers capable of competing at the highest international level and representing Kazakhstan in national teams in the future.

The FIFA Talent Development Scheme programme is aimed at developing talented players, exchanging expertise, implementing modern coaching methods and improving the quality of youth development through international support for coaching staff.