Netherlands are not top of their Euro 2020 qualification group after a difficult 3-1 win over Northern Ireland in De Kuip.
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Ronald Koeman decided to start with Marten de Roon in midfielder over Donny van de Beek, while Steven Bergwijn was preferred in attack.
The Netherlands boss had a go at his players for their attitude in training this week and he wont have been happy with their performance in the first-half.
Oranje dominated possession but created no chances of note in a poor 45 minutes that saw Northern Ireland contain the hosts with ease.
After the break, Netherlands continued to struggle and Koeman eventually turned to van de Beek and Donyell Malen for Ryan Babel and De Roon. A big chance soon followed but Bergwijn couldn’t net after being set up by Memphis Depay.
Jonny Evens cleared a Georginio Wijnaldum effort of the line as Netherlands finally started to look lively. However, Northern Ireland then stunned De Kuip in the 75th minute as Josh Magennis rose above De Ligt to head in a cross.
Netherlands response was swift as Memphis stabbed a Malen cross into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
The game seemed to be heading for a draw but in the first minute of added time, Luuk de Jong found the net at his second attempt at the back post to make it 2-1. Frenkie de Jong then strode forward before setting up Memphis to score his second and seal a 3-1 win.
Netherlands now go top of the group but are on the same points as Germany and Northern Ireland. On Sunday, Oranje travel to Belarus.
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Congratulations to Ronald Koeman and his men in Orange.
A very ugly win, but i’ll take it. It reminded me eerily of the matches the Dutch lost to Iceland in the 2016 campaign. A high pressing opponent with a well organized defense that converts the few chances it has.
Koeman made the right subs but I don’t understand why he didn’t make them at halftime, given how poor the first half was. Against teams that just sit back De Roon is not a good choice, and had they had Malen’s energy earlier they might have made things easier on themselves.
Still, under Koeman the Dutch have always showed a lot of resilience, which is a major difference from last couple campaigns. If they take care of business against Belarus, they are all but qualified.
I’m sure the critics will be out in full force because of how this match looked. Some points might be fair. That said, Northern Ireland had an organized defence. They had a plan and it damn near worked. Oranje winning this match having to battle that AND after going down with 15 minutes left, took a lot of character. The team did not quit and the results show the right subs were made. Not every game will be pleasing to the eye. It is a good feeling that Oranje is finally focused on the result before all else.
Agree the Van & N Ireland are not easy team to break down. They where top & still tied 2nd w 13pts for a reason they don’t have big players but O’Neill makes it hard to beat them.