Kazakhstan v Netherlands match preview

Islambek Kuat reduced the deficit with virtually the last kick of the game.

All looked positive for Newcastle and the Dutch as Georginio Wijnaldum put Holland one up (watch it here) in the 33rd minute in this vital qualifier.

Netherlands lost its last qualification match 3 – 0 to Turkey.

Already-qualified Iceland squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Latvia. The 1988 winners started the day fourth in Group A, two points behind the play-off spot held by Turkey with two games to play.

After reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup a year ago its hard to believe that Netherlands could fail to reach the 2016 Euro’s in France.

Third-choice goalkeeper Rob Elliot has been called up as cover to the Republic of Ireland squad for their crucial clash with Poland this week, though he has yet to play a single minute of first-team football this season but could be thrown straight into Steve McClaren’s side.

“The most important thing was to win”, Blind said.

The Dutch also had to make do without starting net minder Jasper Cillessen, who injured his back during the warm-up.

Further back, Memphis’s Red Devils teammate Daley Blind sits at the base of their midfield, with Wesley Sneijder and Georginio Wijnaldum in more advanced roles.

Netherlands’ Virgil Van Dijk fights for the ball with… El Ghazi was denied a maiden goal moments later as Yuri Krasnozhan’s charges cleared his attempt off the line.

Wesley Sneijder celebrates after scoring Netherlands’ second.

Robin van Persie is set to win his 100th cap during Saturday’s must win game, and the Netherlands captain is refusing to give up hope on qualifying for the Euros.