One of the breakout stars of this season’s flagship tournament is Tobol goalkeeper Daniil Nurzhanov. What sets him apart from most players in his position is one remarkable detail: he only put on goalkeeper gloves last year, after spending ten years playing as a striker.
Despite an uneven start, Nurzhanov managed to adapt to his new role and gradually establish himself in the starting lineup. In last season’s Freedom QJ League U-17 campaign, Daniil kept three clean sheets in 15 matches and made 73 saves from 112 opposition shots.
This year, Daniil moved up to the flagship tournament together with his teammates — and has already made a strong impression in the opening stretch of the season. Across the first three matchweeks, he has recorded 15 saves and conceded only two goals. His standout performance came against Ordabasy, where a clean sheet and seven saves earned him a place in the Changan Team of The Week.
Nurzhanov spoke in detail with the League’s press service about his journey as a goalkeeper, his role models, and his goals for the season.
— I became interested in football when I was five years old, and a year later I joined Tobol. I started out as a forward and played in that position for around nine or ten years.
But last year, before my debut Freedom QJ League season, things stopped working out for me on the pitch. One day I thought I should try myself in goal. I texted my coach, and he said: “Alright, we’ll see at the next training session.”
At that time, our goalkeepers were injured. We played an internal match, and I performed well there. After training, the goalkeeper coach suggested that I try preparing as a goalkeeper, and I agreed immediately. My teammates supported me right away and said I had made the right choice. I also spoke with my parents and coaches — they supported me too.
— My full debut came in a match against Aktobe. Of course, I didn’t play very well because I still lacked experience — I conceded four goals. But the coaches encouraged me and said it was only my first game.
After that, I spent two months on the bench, and then the coaches gave me another chance — against Kaisar. I managed to keep a clean sheet, and after that I started appearing in the starting lineup much more often.
— When I first became a goalkeeper, the hardest thing for me was understanding positioning inside the goal. I was also surprised by how many matches I would end up playing in the League.
— Right now I don’t miss playing outfield anymore, but when I first started in goal — I did. There were moments when I doubted myself and wondered whether changing positions had been the right decision. Later, when I began receiving regular playing time, I realized I had made the right choice.
— My role model among foreign players is David Raya. Among Kazakh goalkeepers — Igor Shatskiy, Aleksandr Zarutskiy, and Danil Ustimenko. I like the way they play, and I want to be like them.
— My personal goals for this season are to keep as many clean sheets as possible and make the Changan Team of The Week as often as I can. I also want to play in the QJL All Star match and earn a call-up to Kazakhstan’s youth national team.
— The toughest opponent? I don’t have one.
— Freedom QJ League changed my life by giving me more opportunities to enter professional football. Everything about the League feels positive: the accommodation, the pitches we play on, the video production, and much more — everything has become much better.
— To other players who are thinking about changing positions, I would say: if you’re considering it, talk to your coach first. And if you’ve already made the decision — keep working on yourself and never give up.
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Nurzhanov is currently one of the three most effective goalkeepers in Fantasy QJ League after Matchweek 3. He has earned 15 points — the same as Kairat goalkeeper Kamil Gainullin and Taraz player Dias Undash. At the same time, he can be added to your squad for just 4.5 Freedom-Coins — an extremely valuable option if Daniil continues performing at this level.
As in the previous season, the manager with the best lineup each Fantasy QJ League matchweek receives a 20,000 tenge certificate from the League’s partner, COPA.KZ. The overall season winner will receive an iPhone 17, while second and third place will earn a PlayStation 5 and an Apple Watch respectively.
Fantasy QJ League also has its own Telegram chat with more than 250 participants ready to help newcomers. Join the community and become part of a long and exciting season!
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