Shakhmurat Dauletov (KRC Genk) scores on debut!

9 June 2024

It’s clear that the Marveld Tournament has a broad international character. Teams and players from numerous different countries and continents have participated recently. While going through the player lists, Shakhmurat Dauletov from KRC Genk caught the eye. Inquiries reveal that Shakhmurat is from Kazakhstan and is making his debut for the Belgian team this weekend. Time for a closer look at Shakhmurat and his coach, Niels Jansen.

From Almaty via Antalya and Genk to Groenlo

Before coming to Belgium, Shakhmurat played in Turkey for Antalyaspor: “My father was already living in Belgium, so I went to live with him after playing for Antalyaspor for a year. Once in Belgium, I joined the Beerschot academy where I played for two years,” he says. His coach, Niels Jansen, chimes in and mentions that they scouted Shakhmurat at Beerschot and that this is his first tournament with Genk. “Next season, Shakhmurat will enter the league with the team. The tournament is a great opportunity to get to know the team and gain experience,” Niels explains.

The Marveld Tournament isn’t the only tournament for Genk this season. Niels adds, “We regularly play in tournaments, even in preparation. For instance, we spent two weeks in America participating in the MLS Cup. Additionally, we took part in the Kevin de Bruyne Cup and now the Marveld Tournament. Two top tournaments to end the season,” Niels states enthusiastically.

Dreaming of an International Career

When asked if Shakhmurat has any specific dreams for his football career, he responds somewhat shyly and modestly. After all, it’s his first real interview as a footballer, something his coach also finds a nice bonus of the Marveld Tournament. Shakhmurat says, “Of course, I want to make it to Genk’s first team, but I hope to play for Real Madrid one day. That would be great.” Well, playing for ‘Los Blancos’ from Madrid, who wouldn’t want that?!

In addition to playing for Genk, Shakhmurat is also regularly on the road for Kazakhstan’s national youth teams. In October, there are European Championship qualifiers on the agenda, and Shakhmurat will fly to represent Kazakhstan. A single flight to Kazakhstan is a whopping seven hours, so he logs many flying hours both on the field and in the air. Coach Niels proudly points out that Shakhmurat isn’t the only youth international in the team: “We have eight Belgian internationals and also two boys who play for Morocco.”

All Youth Players in Black Shoes

The entire experience of staying in cabins and being together in the large sports hall has clearly made an impression on Shakhmurat. It also becomes evident that Genk places a high value on discipline, both in the academy and during a tournament weekend. “The boys have to hand in their phones in the evening, lights go out at a certain time, and they have to sleep. We check on this, and if something isn’t right, they don’t play. It’s about living like a professional. Resting, recovering, preparing for the next match, and focusing on the tournament. We want complete focus on football for two or three days,” Niels asserts convincingly. Shakhmurat laughs shyly, “It was quite different in Kazakhstan and Turkey.”

Another interesting point Niels brings up is that all youth players in Genk’s academy play in black shoes. “All our youth players play in black football boots. They need to stand out with their skills, not their shoes,” Niels explains. That Shakhmurat makes his mark with his feet, or in this case, his head, becomes clear when he heads in the consolation goal in the semi-final against Palmeiras: 5-1. Despite the defeat, Shakhmurat is somewhat pleased with his first goal during his debut for Genk this weekend.

With a 2-0 victory over Ajax, Niels and Shakhmurat conclude the tournament with Genk in a respectable third place. A remarkable achievement considering the strong international field. Additionally, with Shakhmurat Dauletov from Kazakhstan, another player has been added to the long list of nationalities that have played in the Marveld Tournament. Who knows, we might see him shine in Genk’s first team, Kazakhstan’s national team, or perhaps even in the magical Santiago Bernabéu Stadium of Real Madrid.