Netherlands U-21’s started their Euro 2015 qualification campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over Scotland.
- By Michael Bell
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In the first half, Netherlands had most of the ball, but it was their Scottish opponents who created the best chances to open the deadlock. Dutch goalkeeper Warner Hahn had to deny Stuart Armstrong, Tony Watt, while Ryan Fraser also had opportunities to put Scotland in front.
For Netherlands, Twente winger Quincy Promes forced the Scottish keeper into a good stop, while new Chelsea signing Marco van Ginkel shot wide.
The deadlock was broken after seven minutes of the second half, when Feyenoord midfielder Tonny Vilhena received the ball from a rebound, and lifted it over the Scottish keeper Archer.
After 66 minutes, Scotland had two great chances to level, as Fraser saw his shot saved by Hahn’s foot, and then from a corner, Stuart Findley cracked the post with a header.
Minutes later it was 2-0, with FC Twente striker Luc Castaignos smashing the ball past Fraser to punish the Scots for their missed chances. On 74 minutes two became three, as Mike van der Hoorn flashed a header into the net from a corner.
Soon after debutant Jesper Drost made it 4-0 as he converted Luc Castaignos’s cross to enhance his growing reputation.
A good second half performance got Netherland’s qualification campaign off to the perfect start, but it could have been different had Scotland taken their early chances.
Netherlands continue their campaign with a tie against Luxembourg on Monday.
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