Netherlands have sealed their spot at the 2020 European Championships after a dull 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland.
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Netherlands headed to Belfast knowing at least a draw was enough to book their place at Euro 2020.
Ronald Koeman was without star striker Memphis Depay, though, with Steven Berghuis starting on the right wing and Ryan Babel through the middle. Donny van de Beek replaced Georginio Wijnaldum, who was only fit for the bench.
With the crowd behind them, Northern Ireland made a fast start and they nearly scored after a big Jasper Cillessen error, but Netherlands survived. At the other end, Quincy Promes looked lively and he set up Berghuis for a chance, but the Feyenoord winger’s strike looped onto the bar.
Netherlands grew into the game but in the 30th minute, a penalty was given against Joel Veltman for a very harsh handball. Luckily for Oranje, Steven Davis blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
Koeman was visibly not enjoying his side’s performance and he made a change in the 36th minute, as Davy Propper came on for Marten de Roon, who was on a yellow card.
Babel and Van Dijk got half chances before the break but it did not result in an opening goal.
Netherlands dominated possession after the break but they failed to create any clear cut chances. Koeman decided to replace Berghuis with Luuk de Jong and the striker added more aerial threat. The Sevilla striker maybe should have had a penalty after being barged over in the box but a very tight offside call was given instead.
Netherlands never really threatened a winning goal as they played the game out for a goalless draw that seals their Euro 2020 place.
Netherlands do fall to second in the group, though, with Germany beating Belarus. That will matter little to Koeman who was solely focused on earning a spot at a major tournament for the first time since 2014.
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The mood for all Oranje fans should be positive tonight! We have missed the last three major tournaments. The ONLY objective for this match in Belfast should have been to qualify for Euro 2020. Yes, a win would have been nice to stay on top of the group, however we also have all home group stage matches in Amsterdam. That does make up for it in my opinion. I’m already seeing tweets from “fans” saying Koeman should be sacked, which is quite an embarrassing thing to say considering he’s the man who has gotten Oranje to its first major tournament since 2014! He did not have Memphis, Wijnaldum, Bergwijn or Malen.
And who knows… Germany are home to Northern Ireland in a few days, who will be playing for some serious pride, both for themselves and O’Neill. Anything can happen there.
As for the match itself, a few moments decided the result. I don’t share the opinion of many who I’ve read saying the penalty was harsh. I know if that was a Northern Ireland defender, I would be screaming for a penalty. I saw it as clumsy to play the ball of his leg, then up to his arm so close to the goal. Deliberate? No, but it doesn’t need to be anymore. I’m just thankful Davis put his penalty into Row Z.
I do think Oranje should have had a penalty in the second half when Luuk de Jong got run over in the box. The cross was not offside.
The biggest moment of the match for me was early when Berghuis had the entire net to put the ball into, and he hit the bar instead. That right there is where we could have taken control of the match with a lead.
But alas, bottom line we are in! That is all that matters tonight! I look forward to the Estonia match where hopefully Stengs and Boadu can get their debuts.
Typo… should say last two major tournaments!
No estoy de acuerdo con tu comentario, primero Holanda no tiene peligro para calificar a la Euro, si pierde con Irlanda, tiene la posibilidad con el debil Estonia pero si pierde tambien tienen reservado un repechaje, el problema ahora es que para la Euro tienen grandes posibilidades de tener el grupo de la muerte y casi siempre de ese grupo no sale el campeon, segundo, Koeman fue el hombre indicado para tomar el puesto pero despues de calificar para la final de la Nation League ha cambiado su forma de dirijir esta tituviando a la hora de elegir su escuadron sabiendo que hay un grupo de jugadores que no estan actos para seguir en la Oranje, Babel, Promes, Luuk de Jong, Vilhena, Propper, de Room, Strootman etc no deben de estar, Malen, Steng, Boadu, Rosario, Kopeiner, Kluiver, Danjuma y vendran mas en union a Wini, Memphis, Frenkie, de Ligt, Virgil hacer un gran equipo competitivo, tercero Koeman esta pensando en dirigir al Barcelona por ello necesitamos un entrenador al 100 por 100. Quien puede ser? por decir un candidato Bert van Marwijk!!!!!!
What?
Great to see the Dutch qualify again, but what a wimpy strategy in the last 15 mins. Should have gone for the win to get that #1 seed.
If they had lost via a counter-goal at the end it would NOT have been a concern – Estonia is possibly the worst side in Europe right now other than the micronations. Holland could now end up in a group with both Belgium and Portugal, and if that happens they will lament their tactics here.
As far as the midfield and forwards, Promes and FDJ were the only ones that played well. Berghuis didn’t impress and Babel was poor, those 2 shouldn’t play on Tuesday.
Men in Orange are doing fine. Congrats to Ronald Koeman and his boys.