Young Orange falls short of draw in practice match with Young Czech Republic

The Dutch youngsters did not achieve more than a draw in their second match during the training camp in Spain. Although the Pinatar Arena in Murcia could have done more, coach Erwin van de Looi’s team ended up 1-1 against the Czech Republic.

Last Saturday they won 3-0 against young Norway. Given the short interval between the two practice matches, Van de Looi, who is stepping down after the summer, sent a fresh squad into the field against the Czech Republic.

Among them PEC-Zwolle goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar, who graced his debut for the young national team in the fifteenth minute with a stopped penalty kick. He was already heading for the left corner, but just barely got a foot against Adam Karabec’s effort.

Schendelaar thus followed the example of Jay Gorter, who also prevented a goal from eleven meters on Saturday.

The penalty was caused by Million Manhoef, who distinguished himself at the other end moments later. Wouter Burger, the former Feyenoord player who currently plays for FC Basel, laid the ball back to the Vitesse attacker after a tangle. Manhoef, who made his Junior debut against Norway as a substitute, scored with a dry blast: 1-0.

Thijs Dallinga had the best chance for another Dutch goal, but after outplaying a Czech defender, the Toulouse striker hit the well-executed goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros from close range.

Midway through the second half, Anass Salah-Eddine, after a superb pass from Daniel van Kaam, steamed towards Jaros on his own, but the FC Twente player also failed to outwit the Czech goalkeeper.

The Netherlands, with strong-playing debutant Dirk Proper (NEC) in midfield, seemed to be in control of the match, but still got the equalizer fifteen minutes before time. Burger lost the ball and was then cut out by Vaclav Sejk, after which the Czech successfully looked for the far corner.

Moments later, Schendelaar prevented further mischief with a fine save on a Karabec shot and a Czech goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. Substitute Sydney van Hooijdonk could have given the Netherlands the victory after all, but he headed wide in a promising position.

The training camp in Spain was convened in preparation for next summer’s European Championship in Georgia and Romania, where Norway and the Czech Republic will also be in attendance. The Netherlands will meet Belgium, Portugal and the host country successively in the group stage in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi.