AMSTERDAM, October 11 -- Netherlands came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 3-1 at the Amsterdam Arena to get their Euro qualification campaign up and running. The World Cup semi-finalists had lost their opening match away to the Czech Republic and a shock looked on the cards when Guus Hiddink's side fell behind to an early header from Renat Abdulin. However, the Oranje's sustained pressure eventually told when substitite Klaas Jan Huntelaar equalised just after the hour. Kazakhstan were soon reduced to 10 men when Baurzhan Dzholchiev clattered into Ibrahim Afellay, whose deflected shot put the Dutch ahead with eight minutes left. Captain Robin van Persie added a late third from the penalty spot. Arjen Robben had a curling effort in stoppage time ruled out for offside, which looked marginal, but the points were already secure. New Holland manager Guus Hiddink was heading for a second successive defeat after lowly Kazakhstan, ranked 127th in the world, took an early first half lead in Amsterdam But Klaas Jan Huntelaar cancelled out Russian-born defender Rinat Abdulin's shock 17th minute opener with Ibrahim Afellay and Robin van Persie from the penalty spot ensuring potential disaster was averted. The Dutch are placed third in Group A, three points behind the Czech Republic, who followed up their opening win against the World Cup third-placed side with a 2-1 defeat of Turkey, and Iceland, 3-0 winners in Latvia. Other Group A results Second-half goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson, Aron Gunnarsson and Rurik Gislason helped Icelandsecure a second successive 3-0 win in their qualification efforts, this one against Latvia. 10-man Latvia - Artjoms Rudnevs was dismissed when the game was still goalless – were dispatched by the same scoreline as Turkey had been before them. The result left Iceland level on points with the Czech Republic at the group’s summit and ended Latvia's run of four games without either losing or conceding a goal. In the group’s final game, the Czech Republic made it two wins from two in their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Turkey in Istanbul. Umut Bulut put Turkey ahead early but Tomas Sivok grabbed an equaliser and Borek Dockal grabbed the winner to send the Czechs joint top of the pool. It is a different story for Turkey, who have yet to claim a point under new boss Claudio Ranieri, who may already be feeling the pressure. Source: De Peet Journal
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