Ten-man Netherlands share spoils with Israel
Thursday, May 19, 2011
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Netherlands 1-1 Israel
Both captains scored as the Netherlands' Oğuzhan Özyakup cancelled out Roi Kehat's first-half opener before receiving his marching orders.
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Group 5 remains wide open after Netherlands and Israel shared the section's second draw of the first round of UEFA European Under-19 Championship matches.
Unlike Russia's match with the Czech Republic, however, there were goals in this encounter with Israel breaking the deadlock on 29 minutes when Roi Kehat sent Amir Agajev's cross past Warner Hahn. Israel could have doubled their lead seven minutes after the interval when Ahad Azam threatened after running the length of the pitch.
But Wim van Zwam's charges were back in the match when Israel goalkeeper Ram Straus gave away a free-kick for handling outside his penalty area. From the resultant set-piece Luc Castaignos teed up Oğuzhan Özyakup, who rifled in the equaliser from 15 metres after 77 minutes.
The Oranje captain's joy was tempered six minutes later, when he was dismissed for dissent by referee Marios Panayi, but his side held on for a 1-1 draw which leaves them joint-top of the standings alongside their opponents, and ahead of Russia and the Czech Republic on goals scored.
