Dutch reserves do well in Ukraine

Thursday, 12 August 2010

Without the big stars of the World Cup squad Holland managed to get a decent result in a friendly against Ukraine. A youthful Dutch side had seven players making their debut in the lineup, and achieved a 1-1 draw. Jeremain Lens opened the score, twenty minutes from time, after a distant shot by Theo Janssen bounced into his feet from the cross bar. Within a minute Aleksandr Aliyev put the final score on the score board.

Ahead of the game many feared the inexperienced Dutch side would get hammered of the refined Ukraine team, but that fear turned out to be unnecessary. Despite the fact that the 11 Dutch players had only 25 caps to their names, Van Marwijk's youngsters stayed upright remarkably easily in the steaming hot Dombass Arena, the brand new stadium of Shakhtar Donetsk.

Holland's result was mainly based on a good defensive organisation. The center of defense was formed by Ron vlaar and the only 18-year-old Jeffrey Bruma, who plays his football with the reserves of Chelsea. Bruma kept Andrei Shevchenko quiet for 90 minutes as if that it was business as usual. Vlaar, captain for the occasion, played a fine game as well.

Because holding midfielders Wout Brama-Theo Janssen of Dutch champions FC Twente did a great job and wing-backs Dirk Marcellis and Vurnon Anita were sharp as knives, Ukraine created little against the trimmed Dutch team. Only after the break did the home team get some small chances, but goal keeper Michel Vorm was on good form. The only Dutch player who was part of the World Cup squad had a great save on a shot by Anatoly Tymoshuk.

For a long time the teams seemed to head for a goalless draw, but then Holland surprised the home side and took the lead. Theo Jansen hit the cross bar, after which Jeremain Lens had no trouble at all putting the ball in the back of the net. The big smile on the face of Bert van Marwijk showed just how proud the Dutch manager was of his youngsters.

Ukraine did equalize from a set piece a minute later, when Alexandr Aliyev painted a free kick into the junction from 25 meters out.

It was only a minor stain on a good performance of Holland's next generation. Players such as Bruma, Vlaar, Lens and substitute Hedwiges Maduro left a great impression en no one should be surprised when these players will return to the squad in the future.

Goals

Cards

Lineups