The entire match long it has been one with lots of chances for both sides, numerous strong attacks full of potential coming from the Russian side but the Dutch managed to push back till in extra time.
The first half for the Dutch team didn’t offer much good, there were several great opportunities but the precision they had in their previous matches just wasn’t there.
Whereas the Russians had several major opportunities and posed quite a threat to our players. Even though van der Sar has managed to succesfully block these attacks the pressure coming from them definitely gave a lot of tension at times.
Towards the end of the first half the opportunities for the Dutch players increased a bit with especially more ballplay on their sides as well but that finishing touch just wasn’t there yet and the best opportunities remained on the Russia’s side.
Directly at the second half Kuyt was taken out to be replaced by van Persie with the mission to place more pressure on Russia and create the much loved opportunities not present in the first half. Soon after that Heitinga was sent in as a replacement for Boulahrouz.
In the 56th minute the continuous pressure from the Russians resulted in the first goal of the match by Pavlyuchenko.
The last 15 minutes of the match showed more pressure coming from the Dutch team till finally on the 86th minute van Nistelrooy scored, turning the tie again for the Netherlands! Bringing back all the hope and confidence amongst the supporters for a potential victory.
In the 91st minute when Kolodin appeared to be receiving his second yellow card and by that he would have been sent out of the match the excitement appeared to become even greater, the card got taken back though as the assistant referee proclaimed it to have been behind.
With the chances keeping on coming even in the extra time the excitement was kept up high, who would go through still remained undecided during the first 15 minutes of extra time.
During the 21st minute of extra time Russia got their goal by Torbinski, setting the score on 2-1 for Russia. All hope for the Dutch team appeared to have been gone at this point as once more they were behind, with the third goal for Russia coming by Arshavin it was over.
Russia will go on to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Holland, at least 2 more years for the Dutch team to show themselves again during possibly the world championships.
Jun 26 at 3:16 pm
Comment: #1
[...] after what Russia did to my country there’s only one side I’ll be chearing for in this match, Spain. As far as it comes to [...]