Pijpers accepts Alma-Ata role

Kazakhstan Cup winners FC Alma-Ata have appointed experienced Dutch coach Arno Pijpers as a consultant as they prepare for their UEFA Cup qualifying campaign.

All change
Pijpers, 48, is in charge of Kazakhstan's national team but has agreed to lend a hand at Alma-Ata, with Grigoriy Babayan continuing as first-team coach. "I was asked to help in the training process," said Pijpers. "We have many young but experienced players at Alma-Ata. We should try to see their potential fulfilled and make them able to cope with the difficult tasks ahead." Alma-Ata will play FC Vion Zlaté Moravce in the UEFA Cup first qualifying round over two legs on 19 July and 2 August. Meanwhile, city rivals FC Kairat Almaty have reappointed 47-year-old Vahid Masudov as coach with the club languishing in last place after 13 games of the 2007 season. "All the players understand the complexity of our situation and are ready to fight till the end," he said.