European Championship Qualifying
NetherlandsNetherlands2Czech RepCzech Republic3

Netherlands 2-3 Czech Republic

Netherlands
The Dutch last failed to make a major tournament in 2002

The Netherlands' bid to qualify for Euro 2016 ended in failure as Robin van Persie scored an own goal in a home defeat by the 10-man Czech Republic.

The Dutch needed to win and for Iceland to beat Turkey to earn a play-off spot, but Van Persie's error saw them go 3-0 down despite Mark Suchy seeing red.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Van Persie replied to goals from Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural but instead it was Turkey who secured third place.

Fatih Terim's side beat Iceland 1-0.

Turkey go through automatically

Turkey had Gokhan Tore dismissed in the 78th minute as their match appeared to be heading for a draw, but Selcuk Inan's last-minute goal saw them claim a dramatic victory.

That result means Turkey qualify for next summer's tournament in France as the highest ranked third-placed team out of all nine qualifying groups.

Ukraine and Norway both finished third in their respective groups and had more points than Turkey.

But results against the sides finishing bottom in their respective groups do not count - leaving Turkey with the most points.

"As a country we really needed this win to feel happy, even for a few hours maybe," said Terim.

"We are so happy to have offered some happiness to our people."

Blind plans to remain in charge

Netherlands coach Danny Blind took over at the start of July after Guus Hiddink left after 10 months in the position.

He has lost three of his four matches in charge but says he has "no intention" of stepping down.

"I'm going to carry on with my work because I'm under contract until 2018 and I believe in this team," Blind added.

"I haven't achieved my goal. The aim was to qualify automatically or via the play-offs and I haven't done that.

"Am I the one to blame? I now have to analyse that. The results weren't good."

Against the Czechs, Van Persie's cushioned header past his own goalkeeper was the low point - and seemed to spark a reaction from the home side as they scored twice in quick succession afterwards.

But they still failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage, with Suchy having been dismissed for a last-man tackle on Manchester United forward Memphis Depay late in the first half.

The Netherlands, who finished third at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, were crowned European champions in 1988 and were third in 1992, 2000 and 2004.

The last time they failed to qualify for a major tournament was the 2002 World Cup. Before that, they were absent from the 1982 and 1986 tournaments and from the 1984 European Championship.

Reaction to the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

Wesley Sneijder
Wesley Sneijder was the skipper of the Dutch side but was powerless to prevent them sliding to defeat
Dutch supporters after their team's defeat in Amsterdam
It was a night to forget for the Dutch and their colourful supporters
Turkey celebrate qualifying for Euro 2016
However, for Turkey and their fans it was a night of joy and celebration

Line-ups

Netherlands

Formation 4-3-3

  • 1Zoet
  • 2Tete
  • 3Bruma
  • 4van DijkSubstituted forDostat 64'minutes
  • 5RiedewaldSubstituted forvan Persieat 39'minutesBooked at 84mins
  • 8Wijnaldum
  • 6BlindBooked at 30mins
  • 10SneijderBooked at 88mins
  • 11El GhaziSubstituted forLensat 69'minutes
  • 9HuntelaarBooked at 20mins
  • 7Depay

Substitutes

  • 12Van der Wiel
  • 13Anita
  • 14Rekik
  • 15Kongolo
  • 16Bazoer
  • 17Lens
  • 18Dost
  • 19van Persie
  • 20Afellay
  • 21Elia
  • 22Vermeer
  • 23Stekelenburg

Czech Rep

Formation 4-1-4-1

  • 1Cech
  • 2Kaderábek
  • 17SuchyBooked at 43mins
  • 3Kadlec
  • 4Gebre SelassieBooked at 90mins
  • 12Pavelka
  • 10SkalakBooked at 41mins
  • 22Darida
  • 13PlasilSubstituted forSkodaat 86'minutes
  • 18SuralSubstituted forKalasat 71'minutes
  • 7NecidSubstituted forProchazkaat 45'minutes

Substitutes

  • 5Prochazka
  • 6Kalas
  • 8Frydek
  • 11Skoda
  • 14Petrzela
  • 15Kopic
  • 16Vaclik
  • 19Krejci
  • 20Novak
  • 23Koubek
Referee:
Damir Skomina

Match Stats

Home TeamNetherlandsAway TeamCzech Rep
Possession
Home60%
Away40%
Shots
Home13
Away12
Shots on Target
Home4
Away2
Corners
Home6
Away5
Fouls
Home16
Away13

Live Text

  1. Post update

    Match ends, Netherlands 2, Czech Republic 3.

  2. Full Time

    Second Half ends, Netherlands 2, Czech Republic 3.

  3. Post update

    Corner, Netherlands. Conceded by Tomas Kalas.

  4. Booking

    Theodor Gebre Selassie (Czech Republic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

  5. Post update

    Jeremain Lens (Netherlands) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  6. Post update

    Foul by Theodor Gebre Selassie (Czech Republic).

  7. Post update

    Foul by Robin van Persie (Netherlands).

  8. Post update

    Vaclav Prochazka (Czech Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  9. Booking

    Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands) is shown the yellow card.

  10. Post update

    Foul by Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands).

  11. Post update

    Tomas Kalas (Czech Republic) wins a free kick on the right wing.

  12. Post update

    Attempt missed. Tomas Kalas (Czech Republic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Milan Skoda.

  13. Substitution

    Substitution, Czech Republic. Milan Skoda replaces Jaroslav Plasil.

  14. Post update

    Foul by Bas Dost (Netherlands).

  15. Post update

    Michal Kadlec (Czech Republic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

  16. Booking

    Robin van Persie (Netherlands) is shown the yellow card.

  17. Post update

    Robin van Persie (Netherlands) has gone down, but that's a dive.

  18. Goal!

    Goal! Netherlands 2, Czech Republic 3. Robin van Persie (Netherlands) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Bas Dost with a headed pass.

  19. Post update

    Corner, Czech Republic. Conceded by Kenny Tete.

  20. Post update

    Foul by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Netherlands).

Scores, Results & Fixtures

Tuesday 13th October 2015