Netherland vs. Turkey: Match Report
The in-form FIFA World Cup runners up defeated Turkey on 17thNovember by one goal to nil at Amsterdam Arena. It was not the impressive performance by the Oranje. Turkey dominated the whole first half of the International Friendly
but failed to find the net despite outstanding attacking display. But right after the start of second half, whole story changed and Netherland started to dominate the game and Orange looked the better side of two. Just after few minutes, Schalke’s hit-man
scored the first goal of the match which was eventually the only goal and Netherland once again managed to win another international fixture.
Turkey started the match with attacking intentions and it was no surprise that they got the first chance of the match. Inan set up Bulut, who went past Van der Weil and Moburu before unleashing a low shot that forced Dutch keeper to fully stretch himself in
order to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
The Crescent Star continued to dominate play and the home side failed to seriously trouble the opposition back-line until the half hour mark. Tottenham Hotspurs talismanic midfielder Rafae van der Vaart cut inside from the right side before striking a blazing
low shot towards the near post. Nonetheless, the ball went well wide from the post and Van der Vaart’s first effort was not much threatening.
The visitor’s goalie was called in action again minutes before the half-time whistle after a free kick from Ibrahim Afellay. The Turkish shot stopper parried the powerful shot with a good reflex save. Few minutes later, Wesley Sneijder
hit the side-netting with a curled shot from a narrow angle.
Holland made a better start to the second half and came close to opening the score through Wesley Sneijder in the 50th minute, but the Inter Milan playmaker aimed wide. The hosts were granted more blessings only minutes later after careless defending from the
opposition. Oranje right midfielder won the ball on the right flank and set up Schalke forward, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, who did exceptionally well and made no mistake in placing the ball inside the net from the close range.
Turkey came close to levelling the score at the hour mark after a good cross from the left. Munich midfielder, Altintop beat his marker to the ball and sent a strong header toward the opposition goal. However, Ajax and Netherland number
one shirt holder pulled off another good save to keep his team in the lead and opposition at bay. Turkish striker, Umut Bulut, should have restored parity with fifteen more minutes to go, but he somehow managed to miss a clear chance from five yards out.
The substitute, Arsenal’s talismanic striker Robin Van Persie, almost added a second for the hosts in the dying minutes of the game, but failed to put the match to bed. Rafael van der Vaart set up Arsenal hit-man with a brilliant through
pass, but Persie was rushed into an early shot and aimed his effort wide. The Crescent Star got two late chances as well, but the Dutch keeper proved to be too much of an obstacle for the away side's strike force.
Oranje will play their next international match next year in March which is against Hungary, in the Euro 2012Qualifying round match. On the other side, Turkey will welcome Austria in February next year for Euro Qualifier.
Tags: