Netherlands miss the party after own goal for Van Persie
Just over a year after finishing third at the World Cup in Brazil, the Netherlands confirmed last night they will not even be at Euro 2016.
Needing to beat the Czech Republic in Amsterdam to have any hope of pipping Turkey for a play-off place from GroupA, a side includingWesley Sneijder, the Manchester United duo of Daley Blind and Memphis Depay, and KlaasJan Huntelaar crumbled to a 3-2 defeat to 10 men.
Full-back Pavel Kaderabek gave the Czechs the lead in the 24th minute, getting free down the right after a slick move had shredded the slow Dutch defence before firing past goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet at his near post. Eleven minutes later Hosts France Group winners Czech Republic, Belgium, Spain, Germany, England, Northern Ireland, Austria, Italy, Portugal Group runners-up Iceland, Wales, Slovakia, Poland, Switzerland, Romania, Russia, Croatia, Albania Best third place Turkey Finals draw 12 December Qualified for play-offs Bosnia-H, Ukraine, Rep of Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Norway, Denmark Play-off draw Sunday it was two when Josef Sural beat Virgil van Dijk’s weak challenge and prodded the ball home from close range.
Czech defender Marek Suchy was sent off just before half-time for a professional foul but, even though the Dutch coach, Danny Blind, brought on Robin van Persie, the veteran striker succeeded in heading into his own net with 24 minutes to go. Huntelaar and Van Persie got late consolations.
Turkey beat Iceland 1-0 to finish third in the group and reach the finals as best thirdplace side. Croatia clinched their place in France with a 1-0 win in Malta, helped by Norway losing 2-1 to Italy.