Netherlands U21’s have suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at home to Georgia U21’s in their penultimate European Championships qualifier.
- By Michael Bell
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The Jong Oranje went into the game knowing at least a draw would guarantee qualification to next year’s European Championships in the Czech Republic, and after beating their opponents 6-0 in Georgia Adrie Koster’s side were huge favourites in the new coach’s first game in charge.
Netherlands did not play well in the first half but they created a number of chances, with Georgia keeper Giorgi Nadiradze having to make good stops from both Marco van Ginkel and Jean Paul Boetius, while Karim Rekik also came close.
Georgia grew in confidence in the second half and hit the post through former Vitesse striker Gorgi Chanturia before Jambul Jigori shocked the Deventer crowd by netting after a goalmouth scramble.
Late on Van Ginkel and Luc Castaignos both missed big opportunities for the home side, and despite six minutes being added on at the end Georgia held on to the win.
Netherlands now face Slovakia on Monday in the final group game, and know a win would see them move automatically into the European Championships, instead of going through the play-offs.
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Disaster.
oh my ….lost at home to GEORGIA !!!