Netherlands v Iceland background
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Article summary
The Netherlands will be eager to avenge a shock defeat from last year as they welcome Group A leaders Iceland, who are buoyant following a significant win against the Czech Republic.
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The Netherlands will be eager to avenge a shock defeat from last year as they welcome UEFA EURO 2016 Group A leaders Iceland in their first autumn fixture.
Previous meetings
• Gylfi Sigurdsson (10p, 42) scored twice in Reykjavik in October 2014 to give Iceland a first win against the Oranje.
• The Netherlands' record against Iceland now reads W9 D1 L1, but their home record is impressive in those games: they have won all five fixtures, scoring 17 goals and conceding just one in the process.
Disciplinary
• Bruno Martins Indi is a yellow card away from a suspension.
• Iceland defender Ari Skúlason is a booking away from a suspension.
Form guide
• Beaten by the Czech Republic as well as Iceland in autumn 2014, the Netherlands have rallied with seven points from their last three games.
• The Oranje are unbeaten in 37 home qualifiers (W33 D4) since a 2-0 loss to Portugal on 11 October 2000.
• Iceland have won five of their six Group H fixtures, keeping four clean sheets in the process.
Trivia and links
• Robin van Persie ended the spring campaign having won 98 caps and scored 49 goals for the Netherlands. He could become the first Dutch player to score 50 international goals.
• Iceland midfielder Emil Hallfredsson won his 49th cap in the 2-1 win against the Czech Republic in June.
• The Netherlands averaged 69% ball possession in their first six games – more than any other side in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying.
• Iceland co-coach Lars Lagerbäck met the Netherlands three times (D2 L1) during his spell as co-coach of Sweden – along with Tommy Söderberg. Most notably, Sweden lost out to the Dutch on penalties following a 0-0 draw in the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2004.