The Netherlands booked their first win in Euro 2016 qualifying Group A, after the home-team came back from 1-0 behind to beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in Amsterdam.

After the 2-1 opening loss at Czech Republic on September 9, the Netherlands needed a win against Kazakhstan. Dutch head coach Guus Hiddink, who succeeded Louis van Gaal after the World Cup, lined up a 4-3-3 system with Arjen Robben, who returned from injury, Robin van Persie and Jeremain Lens up front. Ibrahim Afellay made his comeback on midfield, almost two years after his last match for the Dutch team.

As expected the Dutch were the attacking side in the first half. The home-team pushed Kazakhstan back and created some minor possibilities by Van Persie. The latter also found the net, but his goal was disallowed for offside.

In the following attack Stefan de Vrij lost the ball and Kazakhstan profited. The corner by Andrey Karpovich was headed in by Renat Abdulin for the surprising lead.

In the second half Van Persie missed a good chance, but it was substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who broke the deadlock. He headed in a cross by Afellay in the 61st minute. Although the Schalke 04 striker was in offside position the goal was allowed.

After a tackle by Baurzhan Dzholchiev on Afellay, the Kazakh received a red card and the visitors had to play the remainder of the match with ten men.

After Arjen Robben hit the cross bar from a free-kick the Dutch kept on pushing and Afellay caused relief in the 82nd minute. His deflected shot went into the goal. After Van Persie went down the Netherlands were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute and the Dutch forward converted this opportunity himself for 3-1. In injury-time a goal by Robben was disallowed for offside.

After this narrow escape the Netherlands came on three points in Group A. Czech Republic, which beat Turkey 2-1 in Istanbul, and Iceland, which defeated Latvia 3-0 in Riga, are both on six points. On Monday October 13 the Netherlands meet Iceland in Reykjavik, Kazakhstan receives Czech Republic and Latvia plays at home against Turkey.

The best two teams of each group qualify for the final tournament in France, together with the best number three and the four winners of the play-offs.

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