Slovakia subdue frustrated Netherlands

The Netherlands experienced frustration in their UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite round Group 6 opener as they failed to find a way past Slovakia.

If anything, their opponents looked the better-organised team in the first period and were able to carve out a few chances of their own. What was already a hard-fought affair became even tighter after the break and once Feyenoord forward Luc Castaignos had narrowly failed to find the net, the openings dried up.

The Netherlands are hoping to reach the finals for the first time since 2000 but were tentative early on. Rajiv van la Parra spread some early panic when he slipped past two Slovakia defenders and forced Pavol Bajza to turn his shot out for a corner but it was the visitors who threatened next, Dávid Guba winding his way past three opponents before drawing a save from Jeroen Zoet.

The home side responded four minutes before the interval when Jordy Clasie volleyed just over, and they went even closer when Castaignos found the side netting from an excellent Imad Najah cross on 51 minutes. That proved the last real opening of the encounter as fatigue set in.

"We got the biggest chance of the match but unfortunately we missed it," said Netherlands coach Wim van Zwam, whose team now face Poland on Thursday when Slovakia take on Germany. "When you have three good chances, you should score at least one. Slovakia didn't surprise me. They're a physically strong team who are good in the air and run for every ball."