Minnows make their mark, Netherlands march on
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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There were eye-catching results for Malta and Luxembourg on a busy night of international friendlies which also included a sixth straight win for the Netherlands and success for Croatia.
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The Netherlands continued their fine winning run with a sixth successive victory on a night when many of the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying contenders were in friendly action. There were some surprising results too, as Malta held Switzerland and Luxembourg savoured a rare triumph. UEFA.com rounds up the action and has separate reports of wins for co-hosts Poland, England, France and Spain, a draw between Germany and Italy plus defeats for Portugal and Russia – see the list of results below.
Netherlands 3-1 Austria
The Netherlands made it six consecutive wins in Eindhoven. Wesley Sneijder opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a beautiful flying volley set up by Theo Janssen, his 20th goal in 74 internationals. The second Dutch goal, three minutes into the second half, was also a beauty. Eljero Elia, who replaced Sneijder at half-time, back-heeled to Erik Pieters, whose cross was headed in by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, on target in all of the Oranje's six recent victories. Dirk Kuyt made it three with a 70th-minute penalty after a handball, before Marko Arnautović pulled one back from the spot following a Peter Wisgerhof infringement. Kevin Strootman and Luuk de Jong made their Netherlands debuts in the second half.
Belgium 1-1 Finland
With debutant Nacer Chadli in the starting lineup, Belgium had good chances in the first half through Romelu Lukaku, but Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky stood firm at the sold-out Jules Ottenstadion in Gent. However, he was beaten on the hour, a minute after Chadli's replacement by fellow newcomer Dries Mertens, as Lukaku found Axel Witsel, who controlled on his chest and shot in. Finland's Mika Ääritalo headed against the post before Roni Porokara – who plays in Belgium for KFC Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen – levelled two minutes into added time.
Malta 0-0 Switzerland
Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber was the hero as he saved two penalties to earn the home side an impressive draw at Ta'Qali. The first came in the second minute when, after Jonathan Caruana handled the ball, Alexander Frei's kick was pushed on to the post by Haber. Switzerland were put under pressure at times, with Michael Mifsud in impressive form and André Schembri and Andrew Cohen going close. However, the visitors had another spot-kick in the 57th minute, Andrei Agius fouling Eren Derdiyok, but this time Haber denied Gökhan Inler.
Israel 0-2 Serbia
PFC CSKA Moskva midfielder Zoran Tošić put the visitors ahead after 23 minutes at the Bloomfield Stadium in Jaffa, racing in at the back post to smash in a cross from the right. Goalkeeper Dudu Aouate kept Israel in with a shout as Serbia pressed, but he was beaten for a second time in the 76th minute when Veseljko Trivunović − winning his second cap − registered his first international goal with a low shot from the edge of the box.
Turkey 0-0 Korea Republic
Turkey finished the game with ten men following captain Emre Belözoğlu's dismissal in Trabzon. The hosts went close twice in the first half through Umut Bulut and Hamit Altıntop against a cautious visiting team. Guus Hiddink made several half-time changes but despite threatening from corners, Turkey could not break through, and lost momentum after Emre's second booking. Hamburger SV forward Tunay Torun won his first cap as a substitute.
Luxembourg 2-1 Slovakia
Two goals from substitute Daniel Da Mota were responsible for Luxembourg achieving a deserved − but nonetheless surprising − victory on a foggy night at the Stade Josy Barthel. Erik Jendrišek's shot put the visitors ahead after 53 minutes, but F91 Dudelange striker Da Mota swiftly restored parity and then snatched a winner nine minutes from the end to complete a miserable international debut for Heart of Midlothian FC goalkeeper Marián Kello. Striker František Kubík also made his first appearance for Slovakia.
Croatia 4-2 Czech Republic
The Czech Republic cancelled out a two-goal lead before the break only for Croatia to score twice in the second half in Pula. Eduardo da Silva and Nikola Kalinić made it 2-0 within the first 13 minutes but Tomáš Rosický (20) pulled one back and levelled just before half-time. Croatia coach Slaven Bilić made four changes at the interval and Kalinić made it 3-2 in the 61st minute before Ivo Iličević confirmed victory when his shot from 45 metres went in with Petr Čech way out of his box. "We didn't look good in the first half, but after we made four substitutions we had an excellent second half and it was a great evening after all," said Bilić.
Greece 1-0 Canada
Olympiacos FC attacking midfielder Giannis Fetfatzidis scored his first international goal as the hosts were rewarded for their superior energy in Larissa. Winning his fourth cap, the 20-year-old punished some sloppy defending with a left-footed shot after 63 minutes, and might have scored again before the end. Canada's best chance was a Dwayne De Rosario free-kick 15 minutes from the end which substitute goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias saved well.
Other results
Albania 1-2 Slovenia
Andorra 1-2 Moldova
Argentina 2-1 Portugal
Armenia 1-2 Georgia
Azerbaijan 0-2 Hungary
Belarus 1-1 Kazakhstan
Denmark 1-2 England
Estonia 2-2 Bulgaria
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 0-1 Cameroon
France 1-0 Brazil
Germany 1-1 Italy
Latvia 2-1 Bolivia
Mexico 2-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Poland 1-0 Norway
Iran 1-0 Russia
San Marino 0-1 Liechtenstein
Spain 1-0 Colombia
Cyprus tournament
Romania 2-2 Ukraine (Ukraine win 4-2 on penalties)
Cyprus 0-2 Sweden
Sweden 1-1 Ukraine (Ukraine win 5-4 on penalties)
Cyprus 1-1 Romania (Romania win 5-4 on penalties)
Nations Cup
Republic of Ireland 3-0 Wales
Northern Ireland 0-3 Scotland