Netherlands boost Euro 2016 playoff hopes with Kazakhstan victory

Danny Blind secured a much-needed first win as Netherlands coach as the Oranje beat Kazakhstan 2-1 in Astana to move third in Group A for Euro 2016 qualifying.

Automatic qualification is not an option for the Dutch in what has proven a wayward campaign, but Blind, who lost his first two games after replacing Guus Hiddink, won at the third time of asking to see his side pile the pressure on Turkey in the race for a playoff place.

The contest took the best part of half-an-hour to throw up a chance, and it fell for the visitors when Manchester United man Memphis Depay drilled just wide of the post.

Minutes later, Blind's men took the lead when Newcastle United's Georginio Wijnaldum drilled home from the edge of the box in trademark fashion.

It was very nearly two shortly before the break, but Ajax wide man Anwar El-Ghazi failed to convert a pass from Memphis as the visitors settled for a slender lead at the interval.

The Dutch did find a cushion on 50 minutes, with Wesley Sneijder taking aim from outside the box and rifling home to add a degree of comfort to the scoreline.

In a rare chance for the hosts, Jurij Logvinenko flashed a header wide of the post late on, but they did pull one back in the closing seconds when Islambek Kuat fired home, though it was too late.

Turkey, who face Group A leaders Iceland in their final qualifier, will move back into third if they beat Czech Republic tonight.