Netherlands U19’s were held to a 1-1 draw by France in the first game of a four-nation tournament in Georgia.

kluivert u17Maarten Stekelenburg’s side dominated the first half and they eventually took the lead on 23 minutes when Ajax striker Kaj Sierhuis headed in Teun Koopmeiners cross.

It could have been 2-0 before the break but Sierhuis narrowly missed a cross from Tahith Chong, while Teun Bijleveld couldn’t finish after getting behind the French defence.

France are the reigning U19 European Championship winners and they showed their quality by dominating the second half. After two near misses,  Nicolas Janvier equalised on 61 minutes, finishing on the rebound from a Justin Bijlow save. The Feyenoord goalkeeper then made a great last minute save to prevent his side from losing.

Netherlands now face Spain on Friday before a meeting with hosts Georgia next Monday.

Netherlands line-up: Bijlow, Zeefuik, Knoester, Floranus, Carolina, De Wit, Bijleveld (70. Velanas), Koopmeiners, Dilrosun (85. Van Rooijen), Sierhuis (58. Duin), Chong (70. Kluivert)




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