Manchester United's Robin van Persie
and Daley Blind tasted late dejection with the
Netherlands last night (Tuesday) as Czech
Republic snatched an injury-time winner.
Just when the Dutch looked to have secured a
decent opening draw in their European
Championship qualifier, a header by their
defender Daryl Janmaat towards his own goal
came back off the post and presented
substitute Vaclav Pilar with a glorious
opportunity to pounce and put the Czechs back
in front. There was still time, just, for van
Persie to nod an effort wide at the other end
but the hosts deserved their 2-1 victory.
Playing away to the Czechs was arguably the
toughest fixture that Guus Hiddink's men could
have opened Group A with and that perception
was reinforced when the hosts took the lead
midway through the first half with a goal from
Sparta Prague midfielder Borek Dockal.
Opportunities for van Persie, Blind and co to hit
back were scarce before half-time but the
Dutch gained parity 10 minutes into the second
period when Lazio defender Stefan De Vrij
headed past Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
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