Latvia register first point in Kazakhstan

Latvia picked up their first point in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying at the sixth attempt after holding Kazakhstan to a goalless draw in Astana.

Both teams are still winless in Group 9 and occupy the bottom two places in the section. Kazakhstan had the better of proceedings, and were on the front foot for most of the contest, but could not convert the few chances that came their way. Abylaikhan Makhambetov had the first of these in the sixth minute when in on goal, but he dallied too long and was dispossessed before being able to get a shot away.

Armands Pētersons then nearly struck for Latvia after intercepting a Bauyrzhan Islamkhan pass but his effort was directed straight at home goalkeeper Sergey Tkachuk. The game's best chance fell to Kazakhstan's Sergey Lisenkov in the 56th minute but he somehow missed from five metres out as both sides – long out of the play-off running – had to settle for a point.