Kazakhstan off the mark with Faroe Islands win

Kazakhstan rallied from a goal behind to overcome Faroe Islands 2-1 and register their first three points of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Without a win in six Group C outings, Miroslav Beranek's team were staring down the barrel when Faroe Islands skipper Fródi Benjaminsen opened the scoring after 23 minutes. The hosts were becoming increasingly edgy until Nurbol Zhumaskaliyev struck from the spot shortly after half-time before Andrei Finonchenko completed the turnaround after coming off the bench.

So steely and determined, Kazakhstan looked in little danger of conceding until being stung on the counter, Benjaminsen taking receipt of Christian Holst's pass and finishing unerringly beyond Andrei Sidelnikov. The home team were in need of inspiration and FC Shakhter Karagandy forward Finonchenko – playing international football for the first time since 2011 – provided it by drawing a foul in the penalty area. Nurdauletov did the rest to equalise. 

Finonchenko came to the fore again 14 minutes later, adding the final flourish to a beautifully crafted move as Kazakhstan strode three points clear of bottom-placed Faroe Islands, now mathematically eliminated, ahead of their home encounter with Sweden on Tuesday.