Czech Republic vs. Netherlands: Score, Grades, Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier
The Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 2-1 in a shocking upset, as Guus Hiddink failed to get his tactics right for the second match in a row. The hosts took the game right to the World Cup semi-finalists and were rewarded for their opportunistic approach, scoring the winner in extra time.
The Netherlands came out in the 3-5-2 formation that took them all the way to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup, reverting back from the 4-3-3 that proved ineffective against Italy, per Dutch Football:
"Guus Hiddink abandons 4-3-3 for the 5-3-2 again. Great to see Depay getting a start.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) September 9, 2014"
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Hiddink's gamble didn't appear to pay off, however, as for the second straight match, Oranje looked slow and sloppy on the ball. The introduction of Memphis Depay gave the attack a little more pace and depth, but the Czechs still had little difficulty handling the visitors' attack.
The hosts took a shock lead after 21 minutes, Borek Dockal scoring a stunning volley off the post that gave Jasper Cillessen absolutely no chance. Bleacher Report UK has the Vine, a strong contender for best goal of the night:
Hiddink had seen enough, making an early substitution as Joel Veltman made way for Luciano Narsingh, moving back to the 4-3-3, per Dutch Football:
"Hiddink already fed up. Narsingh on for Veltman. Back to 4-3-3.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) September 9, 2014"
The move gave the Dutch more control of the midfield proceedings, and the visitors started to piece together some chances. Depay saw a stunning shot tipped over Petr Cech and Daryl Janmaat nearly slotted home off a cross, but the Czechs held on to the lead going into half-time.
Stefan de Vrij was partly at fault for Dockal's opener, turning his back instead of attempting a block, but he redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser 10 minutes into the second half.
Daley Blind delivered a spectacular cross and De Vrij rose highest to nod it home, as shared by Dutch Football:
"Great ball in from Blind, and even better header from De Vrij gave Cech no chance.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) September 9, 2014"
The Netherlands kept pushing for a second goal but nearly ran into sharp counter-attacks from the hosts on several occasions, as the defence looked shaky all night long.
Depay forced Cech into an incredible save only for Vaclav Pilar to come just short on the other end of the pitch, as both teams sensed the next goal would likely win the match.
The hosts should have sealed the win in the 82nd minute, when Bruno Martins Indi was caught watching the ball, giving Vaclav Prochazka a free header on goal. The 30-year-old centre-back inexplicably put the ball over the goal, wasting his team's best chance of the match.
The Czechs now continued their push forward, containing the Dutch, and Janmaat found himself on the end of a cross in stoppage time. He accidentally directed his header onto the post, and the rebound fell to the advancing Pilar, giving him an open net to score the winner.
Both Janmaat and Cillessen chose an awful position to defend the cross, and plenty of ink will undoubtedly flow on this shocking result and the way it came to pass. Football Oranje didn't mince words:
"Can't remember a worse international week for Netherlands. Netherlands lose twice. U21's lose twice.
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) September 9, 2014"
Grades
Memphis Depay: B
The PSV Eindhoven youngster was given the start as Oranje appeared to miss Arjen Robben's driving runs during their 2-0 loss against Italy, and while he failed to register on the scoresheet, his constant movement opened up the Dutch attack.
Depay displayed all of the potential that makes him such a tantalising prospect for top clubs around Europe, but he also showed his age, missing a handful of promising chances.
Bruno Martins Indi: F
Wasteful in possession, often out of position and generally awful, Martins Indi had a miserable night in Prague.
He was sent off inside of 10 minutes against the Italians and contributed little more on Tuesday. He's lucky his team didn't concede on one of his many errors.
Tomas Rosicky: B+
If the Czech veteran can continue this fine run of form on the club level, Arsene Wenger might have no choice but to start him for Arsenal. Rosicky was his vintage self, distributing the ball from the centre of the pitch without a care in the world.
His high work rate was once again on full display, and while his teammates will receive the plaudits for scoring the goals, Rosicky was without a doubt the best player on the pitch.
Post-Match Reaction
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman made his opinion very clear after the match, although he hopes the team will learn from the experience:
Hiddink did his best to avoid the cameras as much as possible, something commentator Jack van Gelder did not appreciate at all:
When Van Gelder finally got him in front of his microphone, Hiddink conceded he was "furious" with the late goal:
The interview then took a turn for the worse, as Hiddink became upset with Van Gelder's questions and criticism.
The Netherlands will need big performances against Kazakhstan and Iceland to bounce back from this disappointing result, not just to put them in position to qualify for Euro 2016, but also to regain some momentum.
Hiddink's start to his second tenure as manager of the team has been disastrous, and he'll need to turn things around in a hurry in order to keep his job. Fans were understandably harsh on him:
"Affelay, Lens, Klaasen and Kuyt all unused subs. Hiddink only made one change and that was in the first half.
— Yusuf (@TheOriginalYus) September 9, 2014"
The Czechs can celebrate an unexpected victory and pick up three pivotal points in group play. A top-two finish will see them qualify for the final tournament, and judging by this performance, fans won't be expecting any less.
