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Hiddink's Boys Shock Holland
Netherlands 1-3 Russia
Guus Hiddink’s Russia pulled off a shock yet richly deserved 3-1 extra time win over tournament favourites Holland.
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Jun 21, 2008 11:18:27 PM
Guus Hiddink’s Russia pulled off a shock win over tournament favourites Holland with a convincing 3-1 victory. Russia had taken a deserved lead in the match but a late van Nistelrooy equaliser sent the game into extra time. Goals from Torbinsky and Arshavin sealed a deserved win for Russia who go on to face either Italy or Spain in the semi final.
The Russians began the game by far the better team. A Zhirkov free kick as early as the fifth minute set the tone, forcing van der Sar into a good save as Hiddink’s men took the game to the Dutch.
Minutes later and Pavlyuchenko should have opened the scoring. A good cross into the box found him unmarked in the Dutch penalty area but he somehow contrived to put his header over the bar with the goal gaping.
Holland meanwhile simply couldn’t get into the game and there was no sign of their immaculate passing game that had taken both France and Italy apart earlier in the tournament.
Yet as the half wore on the tense, cagey start started to slip away and both sides began to carve out opportunities. Sneijder and Engelaar both had shots for the Dutch as they warmed to their task.
Holland came even closer still just after the half hour mark. A van der Vaart free kick was whipped in from right and first de Jong and then van Nistelrooy were only inches away from converting from close range.
At the other end Russia were still looking dangerous. Good work from Arshavin forced van der Sar to fingertip the ball around the post whilst Kolodin from long range forced him to tip another shot over. Minutes later another 40 yard shot from Kolodin whistled over the bar
As the half came to a close Kolodin almost gifted the Dutch an undeserved half time lead. A mistake by the centre half on the edge of his own area let in van Der Vaart but the midfielder’s shot was well saved and the teams trooped in level, although with Russia clearly, and perhaps surprisingly, the better side.
Van Basten, clearly unimpressed by his side’s first half display chose to change things at half time with van Persie replacing Kuyt. The substitution almost paid immediate dividends with the Arsenal striker volleying a shot just wide within seconds of the restart.
However the Russians were not to be denied and within ten minutes of the second half their adventure was rewarded. Semak made a run on the left and crossed in an excellent ball for Pavyluchenko to open the scoring at the near post.
Suddenly the Dutch found themeslves behind for the first time in the tournament but curiously the goal failed to ignite them. Aside from some lovely van der Vaart set pieces, Sneijder was possibly the only player looking likely for the Dutch but his shots from range failed to trouble goalkeeper Akinfeyev.
Russia meanwhile were continuing to look a threat on the break and had the chances to put the game out of reach but neither Arshavin nor Pavlyuchenko could quite find the finish required.
With only five minutes remaining Holland finally equalised, their Real Madrid duo combining to deadly effect. A glorious free kick from the left was floated in by Sneijder and van Nistelrooy was on hand to head in at the far post.
Russia had only themselves to blame but as the match went into extra time the chances continued to come for Hiddink’s men. Pavlyuchenko hitting the bar and Arshavin forcing van der Sar into two good saves.
Although fatigue began to take its toll Russia were clearly the better side, Holland simply unable to replicate their previous good form. How van Basten must have wished he could have brought Robben on, but the winger injured yet again, could only watch from the sidelines.
With penalties looming and less than ten minutes to go Russia finally got the reward their performance deserved. Some great work from Arshevan on the left saw him loop an awkward ball into the box which Torbinsky was on hand to bundle into the box from close range.
The Dutch were stunned but minutes later it was all over as Arshavin made it three, a result that didn’t flatter the Russians who had thoroughly outplayed a Dutch side who had looked disjointed all evening.
After thoroughly deserving their victory the Russians will fear no one and will no doubt watch tomorrow’s contest between their potential semi final opponents Italy and Spain with interest.
Holland meanwhile, having topped the dreaded ‘Group of Death’ and having convincingly beaten world champions Italy and France in the process will no doubt look at this tournament as very much an opportunity missed.
However one Dutchman at least will be delighted at tonight’s result, for coach Gus Hiddink the result surely comes from Russia with love.
GOALS
1-3 Russia (Arshavin, 116)
1-2 Russia (Torbinsky, 112)
1-1 Netherlands (van Nistelrooy, 86)
0-1 Russia (Pavlyuchenko, 57)
Netherlands: van der Sar, Boulahrouz (Heitinga, 53), Ooijer, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, de Jong, Engelaar (Afellay, 61), Kuyt (van Persie, 46), van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy.
Russia: Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Kolodin, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov (Bilyaletdinov, 68), Saenko (Torbinsky, 81), Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko.
Gill Clark
The Russians began the game by far the better team. A Zhirkov free kick as early as the fifth minute set the tone, forcing van der Sar into a good save as Hiddink’s men took the game to the Dutch.
Minutes later and Pavlyuchenko should have opened the scoring. A good cross into the box found him unmarked in the Dutch penalty area but he somehow contrived to put his header over the bar with the goal gaping.
Holland meanwhile simply couldn’t get into the game and there was no sign of their immaculate passing game that had taken both France and Italy apart earlier in the tournament.
Yet as the half wore on the tense, cagey start started to slip away and both sides began to carve out opportunities. Sneijder and Engelaar both had shots for the Dutch as they warmed to their task.
Holland came even closer still just after the half hour mark. A van der Vaart free kick was whipped in from right and first de Jong and then van Nistelrooy were only inches away from converting from close range.
At the other end Russia were still looking dangerous. Good work from Arshavin forced van der Sar to fingertip the ball around the post whilst Kolodin from long range forced him to tip another shot over. Minutes later another 40 yard shot from Kolodin whistled over the bar
As the half came to a close Kolodin almost gifted the Dutch an undeserved half time lead. A mistake by the centre half on the edge of his own area let in van Der Vaart but the midfielder’s shot was well saved and the teams trooped in level, although with Russia clearly, and perhaps surprisingly, the better side.
Van Basten, clearly unimpressed by his side’s first half display chose to change things at half time with van Persie replacing Kuyt. The substitution almost paid immediate dividends with the Arsenal striker volleying a shot just wide within seconds of the restart.
However the Russians were not to be denied and within ten minutes of the second half their adventure was rewarded. Semak made a run on the left and crossed in an excellent ball for Pavyluchenko to open the scoring at the near post.
Suddenly the Dutch found themeslves behind for the first time in the tournament but curiously the goal failed to ignite them. Aside from some lovely van der Vaart set pieces, Sneijder was possibly the only player looking likely for the Dutch but his shots from range failed to trouble goalkeeper Akinfeyev.
Russia meanwhile were continuing to look a threat on the break and had the chances to put the game out of reach but neither Arshavin nor Pavlyuchenko could quite find the finish required.
With only five minutes remaining Holland finally equalised, their Real Madrid duo combining to deadly effect. A glorious free kick from the left was floated in by Sneijder and van Nistelrooy was on hand to head in at the far post.
Russia had only themselves to blame but as the match went into extra time the chances continued to come for Hiddink’s men. Pavlyuchenko hitting the bar and Arshavin forcing van der Sar into two good saves.
Although fatigue began to take its toll Russia were clearly the better side, Holland simply unable to replicate their previous good form. How van Basten must have wished he could have brought Robben on, but the winger injured yet again, could only watch from the sidelines.
With penalties looming and less than ten minutes to go Russia finally got the reward their performance deserved. Some great work from Arshevan on the left saw him loop an awkward ball into the box which Torbinsky was on hand to bundle into the box from close range.
The Dutch were stunned but minutes later it was all over as Arshavin made it three, a result that didn’t flatter the Russians who had thoroughly outplayed a Dutch side who had looked disjointed all evening.
After thoroughly deserving their victory the Russians will fear no one and will no doubt watch tomorrow’s contest between their potential semi final opponents Italy and Spain with interest.
Holland meanwhile, having topped the dreaded ‘Group of Death’ and having convincingly beaten world champions Italy and France in the process will no doubt look at this tournament as very much an opportunity missed.
However one Dutchman at least will be delighted at tonight’s result, for coach Gus Hiddink the result surely comes from Russia with love.
GOALS
1-3 Russia (Arshavin, 116)
1-2 Russia (Torbinsky, 112)
1-1 Netherlands (van Nistelrooy, 86)
0-1 Russia (Pavlyuchenko, 57)
Netherlands: van der Sar, Boulahrouz (Heitinga, 53), Ooijer, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, de Jong, Engelaar (Afellay, 61), Kuyt (van Persie, 46), van der Vaart, Sneijder, van Nistelrooy.
Russia: Akinfeyev, Anyukov, Kolodin, Ignashevich, Zhirkov, Zyryanov, Semak, Semshov (Bilyaletdinov, 68), Saenko (Torbinsky, 81), Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko.
Gill Clark
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