Xavi Hernandez has his first win as Netherlands head coach as a Mexx Meerdink double led Oranje to a 2-1 win over Serbia in the Nations League.
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Xavi made two changes from the side that drew with Germany as Mexx Meerdink replaced the injured Brian Brobbey up front while Joey Veerman came in for Quinten Timber.
Netherlands dominated from the start but they were forced into an early change when Cody Gakpo suffered a knock and Ruben van Bommel came on.
After half an hour, Crysencio Summerville was clipped in the box and Meerdink made it 1-0 from the penalty spot. It was almost 2-0 before the break but Denzel Dumfries could not convert when through on goal.
Serbia made a double change at the break with Luka Jovic and Dusan Tadic coming on. A minute into the second half, the change worked as Jovic was given space in the box to net after Netherlands failed to clear the ball.
Netherlands went in search of the lead again but Tijjani Reijnders blazed a huge chance over while Ruben van Bommel hit the post. Meerdink did eventually make it 2-1 with a lovely finish after a quick 1-2 with substitute Guus Til.
There was to be no hattrick for Meerdink as he was brought off and Netherlands played the final ten minutes with Til through the middle.
Serbia pressed for a late equaliser but the Netherlands had a golden chance to make it 3-1 when Til found himself in on goal. He had Summerville and Van Bommel to his left but overhit the pass and the later’s finish was too weak to find the net.
The Netherlands held on for the victory which takes them to the top of the group with a clash against Greece next on Thursday.
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