Netherlands 100% record in World Cup qualifying is over after a terrible performance saw them draw 2-2 away to Estonia.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Netherlands got off to a fast start, as they took the lead after only two minutes, when Arjen Robben cut in from the right hand side before curling an effort past Jaager in the Estonia goal.
The Estonian goalkeeper stopped his side from being two down before the fifteen minute mark, as he kept out a close range Wesley Sneijder effort, and a Robin van Persie strike.
On 18 minutes Estonia had their first attack, which led to the equaliser, when Konstantin Vassiljev nutmeged Stefan de Vrij before firing an effort from outside the box into the bottom corner.
In the second half, Netherlands went off the boil, and Estonia took advantage, with Vassiljev grabbing his second goal on 57 minutes, with an excellent chip over Vorm, who was inexcusably off his line.
With Netherland’s last beaten in a World Cup qualifier back in 2001, the players now had a task to preserve a point instead of the win, but Louis van Gaal’s side failed to up their game against their lower class opponents.
A Robin van Persie header straight at the goalkeeper, and a wayward Arjen Robben shot seemed to be the best Netherlands could come up with, as Estonia looked set to claim a famous win.
However their blushes were saved in the 91st minute, when the referee deemed Raio Piiroja to bring down Robin van Persie in the box, earning the defender a red card for his second bookable offence. Replay’s showed the defender to win the ball perfectly, but Van Persie stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, and earn the Dutch a point.
An undeserved draw, after the worst Netherlands performance since the farcical Euro 2012 campaign, and question’s will need to be asked about how the side packed with talent failed to beat such an average opponent.
On Tuesday, the players have the chance to redeem themselves against Andorra, and the Oranje faithful will be expecting a much improved performance.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
Terrible game. Estonia got robbed. Too many problems to list. Estonia out worked Holland and that is unacceptable. The penalty was a gift and Holland’s back line especially Martins Indi(gave away the ball twice in his own half let led to goals) was dreadful.
Cant understand why Vlaar didnt play,sneijder is no use anymore for the team,maher should take his place.