Euro 2016 qualifier: Dutch fall to late Czech winner
The Czech Republic snatched a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Netherlands, thanks to Vaclav Pilar’s added time goal.
The winner comes after a dreadful mistake by Dutch defender Daryl Janmaat in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier on Wednesday morning (Sept 10, Singapore time).
Janmaat attempted to cushion a header back to Jasper Cillessen inside the penalty area but the ball beat the Dutch keeper and struck the post only for Pilar to tuck the rebound into the net.
The result delighted home fans.
Czech Republic's first goal came when David Lafata controlled a cross into the box, before laying it off to Borek Dockal whose left-foot shot slammed off the post into the net to give the hosts the lead.
Borek Dockal scoring the Czech's first goal. Photo: Reuters
The Dutch, third-place finishers at the World Cup in Brazil, responded with Stefan de Vrij driving a header into the back of the net - after a cross from new Manchester United boy Daley Blind in the 55th minute.
The Dutch began taking more control in the second half but they could not beat the organised Czechs and goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Petr Cech in excellent form. Photo: Reuters
The Czechs have been struggling in recent matches. But they looked dangerous on the break and scored the winning goal when the Dutch mix-up presented them with a dream start to the Euro 2016 campaign.
The result also gave coach Pavel Vrba, who took over following their failure to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, his first victory at the helm.
The match was Guus Hiddink’s first competitive game in charge of the Dutch national team. Unfortunately he tasted a second successive defeat since taking over from Louis van Gaal, who had stepped down to take charge of Manchester United.
Hiddink lost his first game against Italy in on Sept 4.
Source: AFP
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