Netherlands vs. Turkey: Score, Grades and Reaction from Euro 2016 Qualifier
The Netherlands stole a share of the points with a last-gasp injury-time goal as they drew 1-1 with Turkey in Amsterdam in a UEFA European Football Championship qualifying match on Saturday.
The Dutch were without their star attackers Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, and the side clearly suffered in their absence.
The game started with the Dutch on the front foot, with Guus Hiddink's men looking to get off to a fast start.
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Memphis Depay appeared to be in a sprightly mood, but with the Turkish team pinned back, the Netherlands suddenly lost their intensity.
The visitors began to get their foot on the ball and frequently found themselves in their opponent's half.
The Dutch defence began to look increasingly loose, and there was a sense the Turkish team could capitalise from this weakness.
And that they did, with Burak Yilmaz claiming a surprise lead and stunning the Amsterdam crowd.
Once again, the Netherlands defence looked shaky and failed to clear a cross. Yilmaz picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty box, and Bruno Martins Indi deflected the powerful shot into the net.
WhoScored.com recognised the attacker's recent form and contribution:
The Dutch appeared shell-shocked by going behind but attempted to reclaim their early dominance.
But despite having the lion's share of possession, the Netherlands appeared devoid of idea and confidence. This was certainly not the side we saw play with confidence and tactical discipline at the World Cup.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had two half-chances as the game rushed toward half-time, but as the referee blew his whistle to end the period, it was the Turkish team who were hugely satisfied by their endeavours.
WhoScored.com posted its half-time appraisal of both teams, showing how short the Dutch had been after 45 minutes:
And Opta highlighted the distinct lack of cutting edge from the Dutch attack, with a real lack of penetration of the Turkish danger area:
The second half started much like the first and almost followed the same script, with the Turkish pushing for a second goal.
Yilmaz once again went close for his side, but this time the Dutch responded with a phase of sustained pressure.
And the Netherlands almost got their reward for their increased ambition as Wesley Sneijder went close from a free-kick.
The former Real Madrid man saw his curling effort just beat the wrong side of the post on 70 minutes.
But as the Dutch tried to rescue the game, the Turkish were aware they could counter and break, and Hiddink's team were reduced to playing an unfamiliar long-ball game in the last 10 minutes.
Sam Wallace of The Independent commented on this:
The Turkish set their defence and midfield to be composed and tough in the final minutes, and the Dutch seemed to have no answers.
The Amsterdam crowd began to slope away from the stadium long before the final whistle, with the nation now on the verge of Euro 2016 collapse.
However, six minutes of injury time brought the remaining Dutch crowd to their feet, and the team streamed forward for one last dash.
And out of the blue, the Dutch rescued the game with the cruelest of blows, as Sneijder's shot smashed off Huntelaar's head and into the Turkey net.
Dutch legend Ruud Gullit expressed his shock at his nation's slice of luck:
The energy drained out of Turkey in the final seconds, and Hiddink's team had taken full advantage, but the Netherlands did not deserve a share of the points after a poor night.
The game ended 1-1, with the Dutch hugely relieved to have avoided defeat.
Selected Player Ratings
Burak Yilmaz: B
The Turkish front man led the line with great aplomb and gave the Dutch defence consistent problems before his late substitution. Turkey needed a leader in the attacking positions on Saturday night, and Yilmaz provided his country with focus and a vital goal.
Wesley Sneijder: C
The Dutch midfielder was a busy presence for the Netherlands throughout the match, and it was his experience that helped his side rescue a point.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: C-
Sometimes all a striker has to do is score a solitary goal to justify his selection, but Huntelaar knew very little about his deflected effort. However, he might not score a more vital goal for his country in the next 12 months, and his headed effort was enough to rescue his team.
Post-Match Reaction
Hiddink was philosophical after his side rescued a point against a battle-hardened Turkey. He claims his team still have a long way to go in their development cycle.
The European Qualifiers official Twitter feed quoted the manager:
The Netherlands will take on Spain in a prestigious friendly on Tuesday, in a repeat of their World Cup contest from last summer, which the Dutch won 5-1. Turkey play Luxembourg in a friendly on the same day.
