Young Orange have reaching quarter-finals at European Championship in their own hands after second draw
NOS Football–
Watch the summary of Jong Oranje-Jong Portugal
Young Oranje also drew its second game at the European Under-21 Championships. After the 0-0 against Belgium in the opening game, a difficult match against Portugal ended 1-1. As a result, the Orange still have reaching the quarter-finals in their own hands.
The Netherlands started against Portugal in the same lineup as in the first group match against Belgium. A number of players were quite worn out after that game, but according to national coach Erwin van de Looi, all players recovered well. “I believe in automaticity and in a settled team,” Van de Looi said before the match.
Jong Oranje started strongly and, as against Belgium in the first group game (0-0), got the first chances. A header goal by Kenneth Taylor was disallowed for offside and moments later Brian Brobbey pounced on Portuguese goalkeeper Celtion Biai with a hard shot.
Portugal does strike
Portugal, with Fábio Silva (rented by PSV last season) in the striker and Ajacied Francisco Conceição on the bench, did strike a minute after Brobbey’s chance. André Almeida left Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen defenseless after a cross from Pedro Neto. With that, Portugal, which had lost its first group game 2-0 and would have been eliminated in a defeat, had what it wanted.
The Portuguese sat back quietly for the remainder of the first half, while frustration was visible at times in the Orange. For example, captain Quinten Timber received his second yellow card this tournament for a nail-biting foul. As a result, he is suspended for the final group match against hosts Georgia.
With Milan van Ewijk and Wouter Burger as substitutes, the Oranje went hunting for the equalizer after halftime. However, creating good chances proved to be a tough task against the well-organized Portuguese. Moreover, the second half was full of fouls, which meant that the game was regularly stopped.
The biggest chance was again for Brobbey. Ryan Gravenberch passed hard and cleanly towards the striker, who was allowed to pass on the edge of offside. However, the Ajax striker struggled to control the ball and partly as a result again found goalkeeper Biai in his path.
Third time lucky for Brobbey
Fifteen minutes before time, it finally hit the mark for Brobbey. A corner kick was extended with the head by Wouter Burger and Brobbey was in the right place to tap in. The Netherlands then tried to push on, but because the Portuguese had to take risks, the Dutch also feared a goal.
Watch the reactions of Brian Brobbey, coach Erwin van de Looi and captain Quinten Timber below:
Portugal’s goal almost came, when substitute Conceição tried from distance. Verbruggen, already important against Belgium with some great saves, dived for the corner and prevented a second goal.
The Netherlands is now third in the group, behind Georgia and Belgium, who drew 2-2. If Orange wins Tuesday against host Georgia, it will advance to the last eight. In theory, even a draw could suffice, depending on the result at Belgium-Portugal.
