Arnout Groeneveld scored the only goal of the game as Netherlands U21’s earned a crucial 1-0 win over Andorra in a European Championship qualifier.

  • By Michael Bell
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Despite the heavy defeat to Belgium last week, Art Langeler stuck to his 4-3-3 formation with Steven Bergwijn once again playing through the middle. However, Oussama Idrissi recovered from an injury to start.

Netherlands had hammered Andorra 8-0 at home earlier in the campaign but found it much harder on a poor playing field on Tuesday. Andorra got the first big chance of the game but Justin Bijlow saved well from Ricard Fernandez.

Shortly before the break, Netherlands took the lead with Arnout Groeneveld firing an excellent free kick into the net to break the deadlock. The NEC winger scored in the defeat to Belgium in midweek and continued his fine form with the only bright spark of a dull first half.

Langeler made a change at the break with Sam Lammers replacing Idrissi. However, bringing on a centre-forward didn’t improve Netherlands attack and they laboured to a 1-0 victory which keeps them in the running for the Euros.

Netherlands are two points behind leaders England, who face Ukraine later on Tuesday. Top of the group progress to the Euros while four of the best runners up reach the play-offs.




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