Amsterdam, Netherlands (SportsNetwork.com) - The Netherlands avoided a major setback on Friday as the team scored twice in the final eight minutes to notch a 3-1 win over 10-man Kazakhstan at the Amsterdam Arena in Euro 2016 qualifying.
After losing their opening match in Group A to the Czech Republic, the Dutch needed to rebound with three points against a heavy underdog in Kazakhstan.
But the World Cup semifinalists found themselves down 1-0 at halftime thanks to a diving header from Renat Abdulin that skimmed the underside of the crossbar on its way into the net.
Another loss for Guus Hiddink's side would have put the team in a bad spot through two games, but substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar pulled the home side level just after the hour mark with a well-placed header from 12 yards.
Only a few minutes later, Kazakhstan was reduced to 10 men when Baurzhan Dzholchiev was sent off for a poor challenge on Ibrahim Afellay.
The Dutch had the freedom to go all out for the win being up a man, and Arjen Robben came close with a free kick that rattled the crossbar in the 73rd.
However, the deadlock was broken eight minutes from time with a deflected shot from Afellay.
The relief was evident on the faces of the Dutch players, and Robin van Persie tacked on an insurance tally from the penalty spot as he drew a foul inside the box and then sent goalkeeper Alexandr Mokin the wrong way.
Iceland sits atop Group A after recording a second successive 3-0 victory, this time at Latvia with all three goals arriving in the final 25 minutes.
The Czech Republic also made it two wins from two games as a goal from Borek Dockal in the 58th minute lifted the team to a 2-1 win at Turkey.
Belgium began its Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in style with a 6-0 triumph over Andorra with two goals apiece from Kevin De Bruyne and Dries Mertens.
Israel topped Cyprus, 2-1, behind first-half goals from Omer Damari and Tal Ben Haim, while Wales and Bosnia-Herzegovina played out a 0-0 draw.
In Group H, Croatia edged Bulgaria, 1-0, on an own goal from Nikolay Bodurov, Giorgio Chiellini scored the winner nine minutes from time to help Italy top Azerbaijan, 2-1, and Joshua King scored a goal in each half, allowing Norway to roll to a 3-0 win at Malta.
