Hleb helps inspire Belarus comeback

Five second-half goals gave Belarus a comfortable comeback victory against Kazakhstan and brought them back into FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 6 contention.

German coaches
Bernd Storck was in his first game as Kazakhstan senior coach, having been caretaker for the 5-1 loss in England in October, and a repeat scoreline looked unlikely at the break as his side led through Renat Abdulin goal. However, it was another German named Bernd - Belarus coach Bernd Stange - who was celebrating at the end after Aleksandr Hleb and Timofei Kalachev put his team ahead within nine minutes of the restart and Igor Stasevich, Kalachev and Vitali Rodionov added to their advantage.

Kazakhstan ahead
Storck's young side had shown promise in their fixture at Wembley and within ten minutes were ahead tonight, Abdulin connecting with Ruslan Baltiev's free-kick. Tanat Nuserbayev came mighty close to doubling the lead but Belarus goalkeeper Yuri Zhevnov pulled off a fine save. The visitors were struggling to impose themselves, though towards the end of the half Aleksandr Hleb provided Rodionov and Aleksandr Kulchi with good chances.

Comeback
Hleb really hit his stride after the break, and within three minutes had equalised following a one-on-one with David Loria. Seconds earlier Sergei Ostapenko had been unable to find the target at the other end in similar circumstances. Belarus were now in command and Kalachev made it 2-1 on 54 minutes before Stasevich swiftly doubled their lead. Kalachev claimed the fourth and late on Rodionov confirmed Kazakhstan's biggest home defeat since 2005. Belarus moved into outright fourth place, three points ahead of Kazakhstan. Both sides return to action on 6 June when Belarus play Andorra and Kazakhstan welcome England.