The Japan Times - Inter beat Kairat Almaty to maintain Champions League perfection

Carlos Augusto saved Inter's blushes with a thumping low drive in the 67th minute which ensured a fourth win from as many games in the league phase.

The Italians have a great chance of reaching the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition as they sit third, level on 12 points with leaders Bayern Munich and Arsenal.

Last season 16 points were enough for a top-eight finish, meaning four points from their four remaining fixtures could be enough for direct qualification.

That is good news for Inter who have a fiendish run of fixtures to close their league phase campaign, including clashes at the San Siro with Liverpool and Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Inter will certainly need a better display when they travel to Atletico Madrid later this month after doing just enough to see off Kairat, who acquitted themselves well in a landmark fixture for the club from Kazakhstan.

Ofri Arad cancelled out Lautaro Martinez's opener nine minutes after half-time and the away side had Inter sweating even after Carlos Augusto smashed in his first goal of the season.

Kairat have just one point to show for their efforts in their debut Champions League campaign but all is not lost with three points separating them from the play-off positions.

Rafael Urazbakhtin's team face Copenhagen, Olympiakos and Club Brugge before travelling to London to take on Arsenal in their last fixture.

K.Hashimoto--JT