AKIPRESS.COM - The Czech Republic were ruthlessly efficient in the Astana Arena as they swept past Kazakhstan to maintain their perfect record in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying Group A, official website of UEFA said.

It was a step into the unknown for the visitors who had never faced Yuri Krasnozhan's side before, but having seen off the Netherlands and Turkey already they arrived in the Kazakh capital with no fear. Ladislav Krejčí stormed down the left early on and only a well-timed intervention from Renat Abdulin prevented the winger's cross reaching David Lafata. The opener came in the 13th minute when Bořek Dočkal set himself 25 metres out and drilled into the bottom corner to make it three goals in three group games.

The hosts responded through Sergei Khizhnichenko who bludgeoned wide on the turn from 20 metres before bobbling a shot across goal from a tight angle on the left. The Czechs were a constant threat, however, and a second came a minute before the interval. David Limberský looped a cross to the back post where right-back Pavel Kadeřábek met it on the volley, turning the ball across goal to present Lafata with the simplest of finishes.

There was a second-half rally from Kazakhstan as Askhat Tagybergen slammed a rocket narrowly wide before Yuri Logvinenko turned a cross onto the post. However, Pavel Vrba's team were ruthless in snuffing out any resistance. Just seconds after their woodwork was rattled Limberský produced a perfect centre from the right which Ladislav Krejčí volleyed in. Yuri Logvinenko swept in a corner with six minutes remaining to offer a glimpse of a comeback, but once again the Czechs smothered the optimism rapidly. Four minutes later Tomáš Necid finished well on the turn to ensure his side a firm grip on the section leadership, despite Logvinenko heading an added-time second for Kazakhstan.