Netherlands U21’s put one foot into the European Championships after they saw off Luxembourg 3-1 on Tuesday night.
- By Michael Bell
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The first half in Maastricht was a struggle for the young talented Dutch side that contained Karim Rekik, Quincy Promes, Tonny Vilhena, and Jean Paul Boetius, who were all cut from the World Cup squad last week, as Luxembourg defended well.
However after 53 minutes the deadlock was finally broken by Twente striker Luc Castaignos, who poked the ball past the goalkeeper after being set up by Nathan Ake.
Two minutes later, Quincy Promes jinked through the defence before firing into the net to make it 2-0, but Luxembourg then pulled a goal back on 59 minutes when Glenn Gomes Gorges capitalised on an error from Ake to fire the ball past Warner Hahn.
Luxembourg were not back in the game for long as Promes netted his second of the game, and fifth in the last two games, with a powerful low shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Netherlands could have added more goals before the end, but Marco van Ginkel fired just wide, and Castaignos put a header just past the post.
Albert Stuivenberg’s side are now three points ahead of nearest rivals Slovakia, with only two home games left, and will be confident of a place in next summer’s European Championships in the Czech Republic.
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Not a very good showing. In the last two games both conceded goals were a result of a terrible defensive play and Van Ginkel looks half the player he was a year ago(no doubt injury is reason), Castaignos has missed so many chances on the positive Promes has excelled. It’s uncanny how at every level the Dutch Dbacks make calamitous decisions which result in the ball in the back of their net. This team should be much better as many of them see starting roles on 1st division clubs. Tons of raw talent with some polishing they should be a threat to make it to the finals and contend.