The Netherlands looked like they were headed for a disastrous start to Euro 2016 qualifying for most of Friday's fixture. After dropping their opener to the Czech Republic, they conceded an early goal to Kazakhstan and struggled to fire themselves level, but their visitors melted down late. Eventually, a closely contested fixture degenerated into a comfortable win for the Oranje, who posted a 3-1 victory.
Netherlands vs. Kazakhstan, Euro 2016 qualifying: Final score 3-1, late rally saves Dutch
Jamie McDonald
Kazakhstan's opener came in the 17th minute off a very poorly defended corner. Bruno Martinos Indi completely lost Renat Abdulin, letting the Kazakh defender separate from him, elevate, and win a header that he directed past Jasper Cillessen.
The home side were unsurprisingly on top for the remainder of the half, but couldn’t produce an equalizer before halftime. Robin van Persie had an effort saved in the 23rd minute following a brilliant turn and Jermain Lens missed the best chance of the half, missing wide from close range in the 41st.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was introduced in the 56th minute, and the Dutch were much more effective with two strikers on the pitch. Huntelaar was the scorer of the 61st minute equalizer, heading in a lofted ball by Ibrahim Afellay following a short free kick.
Any chance Kazakhstan had of holding onto a point was effectively eroded away three minutes later, when Baurzhan Dzholchiev was shown a straight red card for a dangerous foul. From then until the end of the match, Kazakhstan’s 10 men were completely pinned back in their own half.
Afellay turned from provider to scorer in the 82nd minute, though his goal was a bit lucky. His hard shot from 20 yards deflected off a Kazakh defender, giving Alexandr Mokin no chance to make a save, and the Dutch had their winner.
Van Persie sealed the victory late, drawing a penalty and converting from the spot, making the final score look nowhere near as close as the match actually was.
Netherlands: Cillessen, Blind, Martins Indi (Fer 81’), de Vrij, van der Wiel, de Jong (Huntelaar 56’), Afellay, Sneijder, Lens, van Persie, Robben
Goals: Huntelaar (61’), Afellay (82’), van Persie (pen 89’)
Kazakhstan: Mokin, Vorotnikov, Abdulin, Dmitrenko (Gurman 72’), Miroshnichenko, Suyumbayev, Karpovich (Korobkin 79’), Dzholchiev (red 64’), Shomko, Bogdanov, Khizhnichenko (Nurgaliev 90’)
Goals: Abdulin (18’)
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