11-04-2008, 10:26 AM
Match report: The Netherlands- Portugal
Tournament favourites Portugal meet an early exit as an excellent defensive display by the Netherlands sees them through.
Both teams made a lot of changes compared to their first round game. The Netherlands opted to play four at the back with anchorman Lekkerkerker in front of the defensive quartet. At front, wing forward Tijhof and Kicken supported lone striker Fedde-Plasmans. Portugal went for the advantage in the centre of the pitch, with them only lining up 1 winger and fielding two attacking central midfielders in support of striker duo Assis-Lança, just as they did against Israël.
The Netherlands were not impressed by this attacking display and had the better of the opening minutes, with Tijhof seeing his effort on goal easily collected by Portugal keeper Dias. It was a sign of things to come however, as in the 11th minute Kicken was allowed space for a shot and drew a nice save out of Dias with a stinging drive. Minutes later, he was again the dangerman, testing Dias with shots in quick succession.
Portugal struggled to find an answer to the impressing Dutchmen, but when they did it was in most impressive way. Alencar collected the ball, got forward and slotted the ball home, leaving Roffers no chance and Portugal were leading against the run of play. The Netherlands were set back, but Portugal let them no time to breath. Five minutes later the game could in fact have been decided, if it weren't for Roffers who expertly saved a free kick by Guedes. With renewed courage the Netherlands again looked to the front and Kicken demonstrated his skills once more by lining up a nice shot, but Dias was at hand to save. The Dutch were not be denied however and when Calado wasted an excellent opportunity for Portugal, Kicken collected the ball, launched a scorching shot and with Dias stranded, the score was level again, 1-1.
Both teams had to catch their breath, but ten minutes later the Netherlands were in front. Calado again refused to take a nice opportunity and was made to rue it, as the Netherlands got a penalty for an obvious foul by Jorge on Fedde-Plasmans. Not one to waste such opportunities for glory, the Dutch nr. 60 got to his feet and dispatched a clean shot into the corner leaving Dias no chance and sending the Netherlands into the break with a 2-1 lead to defend.
Whatever was said at half-time in the Portuguese dressing room was clearly not enough, as the second half started quietly, the Dutch content to defend their lead and Portugal unable to create real chances. Only a shot by Lekkerkerker got the fans at Het Kiel off their benches, but Dias comfortably collected his effort. Both coaches decided to intervene after an hour, the Dutch making two defensives changes and introducing van der Kolk for Kicken, the Portuguese bringing some offensive reinforcements. Van der Kolk didn?t take any time to get acquainted with his marker, as he shot after being only on the pitch for 13 seconds, but Dias smothered his attempt.
As darkness fell over the stadium, the Netherlands continued to control the game and it was not until the 78th minute that there was some more action. Fedde-Plasmans was left alone after a corner and got a shot in, but Dias saved his team from certain defeat. The confident Dutch then pressed for the deciding goal, van der Kolk and the excellent Tijhof testing Dias in quick succession, but their efforts couldn't find the back of the net. And exactly as disappointed Portuguese supporters started to leave the stadium, Portugal almost drew level. Substitute Alves got past a tired Allard van Westering, but with the goal at his mercy, his shot went sky high. Portugal couldn't take heart from this late opportunity however, as the Netherlands cruised to their deserved victory and sent their numerous supporters into the night celebrating. In the next round they will take on hosts Belgium, but with this impressive display the Dutch have showed they have no intention of going home without the U21 trophy.
Posted by Senne Vanhansbeke
Tournament favourites Portugal meet an early exit as an excellent defensive display by the Netherlands sees them through.
Both teams made a lot of changes compared to their first round game. The Netherlands opted to play four at the back with anchorman Lekkerkerker in front of the defensive quartet. At front, wing forward Tijhof and Kicken supported lone striker Fedde-Plasmans. Portugal went for the advantage in the centre of the pitch, with them only lining up 1 winger and fielding two attacking central midfielders in support of striker duo Assis-Lança, just as they did against Israël.
The Netherlands were not impressed by this attacking display and had the better of the opening minutes, with Tijhof seeing his effort on goal easily collected by Portugal keeper Dias. It was a sign of things to come however, as in the 11th minute Kicken was allowed space for a shot and drew a nice save out of Dias with a stinging drive. Minutes later, he was again the dangerman, testing Dias with shots in quick succession.
Portugal struggled to find an answer to the impressing Dutchmen, but when they did it was in most impressive way. Alencar collected the ball, got forward and slotted the ball home, leaving Roffers no chance and Portugal were leading against the run of play. The Netherlands were set back, but Portugal let them no time to breath. Five minutes later the game could in fact have been decided, if it weren't for Roffers who expertly saved a free kick by Guedes. With renewed courage the Netherlands again looked to the front and Kicken demonstrated his skills once more by lining up a nice shot, but Dias was at hand to save. The Dutch were not be denied however and when Calado wasted an excellent opportunity for Portugal, Kicken collected the ball, launched a scorching shot and with Dias stranded, the score was level again, 1-1.
Both teams had to catch their breath, but ten minutes later the Netherlands were in front. Calado again refused to take a nice opportunity and was made to rue it, as the Netherlands got a penalty for an obvious foul by Jorge on Fedde-Plasmans. Not one to waste such opportunities for glory, the Dutch nr. 60 got to his feet and dispatched a clean shot into the corner leaving Dias no chance and sending the Netherlands into the break with a 2-1 lead to defend.
Whatever was said at half-time in the Portuguese dressing room was clearly not enough, as the second half started quietly, the Dutch content to defend their lead and Portugal unable to create real chances. Only a shot by Lekkerkerker got the fans at Het Kiel off their benches, but Dias comfortably collected his effort. Both coaches decided to intervene after an hour, the Dutch making two defensives changes and introducing van der Kolk for Kicken, the Portuguese bringing some offensive reinforcements. Van der Kolk didn?t take any time to get acquainted with his marker, as he shot after being only on the pitch for 13 seconds, but Dias smothered his attempt.
As darkness fell over the stadium, the Netherlands continued to control the game and it was not until the 78th minute that there was some more action. Fedde-Plasmans was left alone after a corner and got a shot in, but Dias saved his team from certain defeat. The confident Dutch then pressed for the deciding goal, van der Kolk and the excellent Tijhof testing Dias in quick succession, but their efforts couldn't find the back of the net. And exactly as disappointed Portuguese supporters started to leave the stadium, Portugal almost drew level. Substitute Alves got past a tired Allard van Westering, but with the goal at his mercy, his shot went sky high. Portugal couldn't take heart from this late opportunity however, as the Netherlands cruised to their deserved victory and sent their numerous supporters into the night celebrating. In the next round they will take on hosts Belgium, but with this impressive display the Dutch have showed they have no intention of going home without the U21 trophy.
Posted by Senne Vanhansbeke
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