Netherlands caught cold by Georgia
Thursday, September 4, 2014
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Netherlands 0-1 Georgia
Jambul Jigauri delivered the sucker punch to give Slovakia a great chance of stealing top spot in Group 3 at the Jong Oranje's expense.
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Georgia handed Slovakia a lifeline in the race for top spot in UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group 3, beating off-colour pacesetters the Netherlands in Deventer.
Jambul Jigauri profited from a mix-up in the Dutch penalty area on 71 minutes, driving the loose ball into the net after Giorgi Papunashvili's shot was blocked moments after team-mate Giorgi Chanturia's free-kick hit the post. Defeat means the Dutch could lose first place in the section – and a guaranteed play-off berth – with the wrong result against their only remaining rivals Slovakia on Monday.
Adrie Koster's side dominated possession, but found Georgia to be slippery opponents. Giorgi Nadiradze made a great save from Marco van Ginkel on 16 minutes, but some weak finishing – and a couple of dangerous breaks from the visitors – were a worrying herald of what was to come for the home side.
After the interval, Tedore Grigalashvili headed against the frame of the goal from a corner and Nika Dzalamidze had a dangerous effort blocked before Georgia made their breakthrough, and Koster was disappointed with his side's response to going behind. "Today we just didn't play well and we will have to perform better in the next match against Slovakia on Monday," he concluded.