The Dutch Juniors did what it had to do on Friday evening with a view to qualifying for the European Championship in 2023. The team of national coach Erwin van de Looi was 3-1 too strong for Young Bulgaria in Almere and thus remains unbeaten in the European Championship qualifying cycle. A huge mistake by Kjell Scherpen was corrected by Ian Maatsen and Joshua Zirkzee. Zirkzee’s second, a panenka, was of great beauty. The the Dutch squad has ten points from four matches due to the victory and therefore only has to tolerate Young Switzerland with thirteen points from five games.
Van de Looi started with almost the same eleven as during the last match against Young Wales. Only the rear had to be converted out of necessity, as Sven Botman and Mitchel Bakker are injured and Devyne Rensch has been moved to the A-selection due to the loss of Jurriën Timber. Sepp van den Berg and Lutsharel Geertruida therefore formed the heart of the defence, Ian Maatsen took the left back position. Zirkzee was once again preferred to Brian Brobbey in the point of the attack, who started on the bench and was brought in fifteen minutes before the end.
Kjell Scherpen had clearly not expected this ‘cross’ ?? ?? ESPN pic.twitter.com/2U29Tv9Dr5
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 12, 2021
The first half was barely worth the watch. The the Dutch squad was unable to create any opportunities and even had to watch as the visitors took the lead after twenty minutes of play. After an attack on the right side of the field, Scherpen misjudged a ball from Martin Minchev. The Bulgarian midfielder wanted to bring the ball in front of the goal, but hit the target in the short corner next to the slipping the Dutch goalkeeper: 0-1. It lasted until five minutes before halftime when Van de Looi’s team did something in return. After Daishawn Redan first failed on a cross by Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, Maatsen was accurate in the rebound: 1-1.
The second act offered considerably more spectacle. Frimpong and Maatsen made way for Ki-Jana Hoever and Micky van de Ven, with the latter quickly providing an assist. After a minute of play, the defender brought the ball in front of the goal from the left, after which goalkeeper Damyan Hristov had to release and Zirkzee was there to score the 2-1. The protests of the Bulgarians, who claimed that the ball had crossed the back line at Van de Ven’s cross, did not seem entirely unjustified. Redan had the opportunity to close the game after an hour of play, but failed miserably with the head on a pass from Ekkelenkamp.
The Dutch Juniors turn it around and score the 2-1 just after the break! ?? ESPN pic.twitter.com/jIM7nHo4sR
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Nov 12, 2021
Van de Looi then brought Brobbey into the line as a fresh force and saw how his striker got a great opportunity not much later. The RB Leipzig attack leader checked and cut out his man, but had to watch as Simeon Petrov narrowly block the shot, albeit with the arm. The third Dutch goal would follow in the final minute. After Ekkelenkamp’s perseverance on the sidelines, the midfielder earned a penalty when he was taken in by two Bulgarians. Zirkzee took his place behind the ball and did it beautifully with a panenka: 3-1.