Kazakhstan's national football team took the lead in a friendly against Hungary in Debrecen but, reduced to ten men, lost 1-3. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

After two defeats for Kazakhstan's teams (yesterday the U-21 lost 1-2 to Belarus, and today the youth team lost 2-4 to Greece), a third loss followed in the senior team's friendly.

**HUNGARY – KAZAKHSTAN 3:1 (0:1)** - Goals: Malyi 9 (0:1), Szoboszlai 52 (1:1), Schäfer 67 (2:1), R. Tóth 90+2 (3:1) - Sent off: Samorodov (K, 63)

In history, Hungary and Kazakhstan have met only twice before, both friendlies in Budapest. In 2014, our team under Yuri Krasnozhan lost 0-3. Four years later, Stanimir Stoilov's side won 3-2.

The only player to feature in all three encounters is our 36-year-old Sergei Malyi. The Ordabasy defender, playing against Hungary for the third time, opened the scoring in the 9th minute, heading in Maxim Samorodov's corner.

Interestingly, Malyi was not in the starting lineup in the previous match against Armenia. He came on only at the end to hold a 1-1 draw. He helped then, and he helped now. Coach Talgat Baysufinov clearly made the right call with Malyi.

After taking the lead, Kazakhstan did not sit back. Dastan Satpayev twice came close to scoring but lacked luck. However, the Hungarians could also complain about misfortune, as they put pressure on our defense led by Temirlan Anarbekov.

The game was end-to-end, with our side trying to respond attack for attack. Serbian referee Pavle Ilić issued five yellow cards to the visitors in the first half and none to the hosts.

Failing to score before the break, the Magyars equalized early in the second half. Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, left unmarked, slotted home after a cross from Tamás Szűcs of local club Debrecen – 1:1. The visitors' defense were mere spectators.

Then the Serbian referee's 'gun' fired. Samorodov received a second yellow card, leaving Kazakhstan with ten men. Immediately after, András Schäfer scored a stunning goal. The Union Berlin midfielder curled the ball into the top corner.

The promising 1-0 lead turned into 1-2 within 15 minutes, and with a man disadvantage. The third goal was scored by Raimund Tóth of Győr in stoppage time.

Thus, Kazakhstan's June friendlies are over. The coaching staff has plenty to think about. On September 26, our team will start the Nations League with an away match against the Faroe Islands.