Netherlands 2 - 2 England

This was a game in which England's defence started of in an almost unbelievably sloppy fashion and they got punished accordingly.

It was a case of England's back four leaving the door open. After 10 minutes, Rio Ferdinand's back pass was woefully short and allowed Dirk Kuyt to enhance his reputation as Liverpool and Holland's Flying Dutchman. He pounced on the short ball, and from a tight angle he fired it into the net, despite a desperate attempt by John Terry to stop it.

Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site

Astonishingly, about half an hour later in the 38th minute there was an almost copycat version of the earlier goal. This time it was Gareth Barry who was the culprit as his back pass found Arjen Robben. His shot was blocked by goalkeeper Green, but only as far as Van der Vaart, who easily drove the ball home. Holland appeared to be much superior to their tired England opponents.

With a two goal deficit at half time England had it all to do. They had their chances and hadn't played a particularly bad game up front. Beckham, Rooney and Lampard all played well enough, but they had the stuffing knocked out of them by defensive errors.

Of course the game was a friendly, but should never be thought of as only a friendly because it was still a test of England's mettle. Capello made changes at half time substituting Heskey, Beckham and the hapless Barry, with Defoe, Wright-Phillips and Carrick.

Strangely, Holland wilted in the second half and a smart Jermain Defoe took full advantage. He raced clear after 49 minutes, from a Frank Lampard pass, and drove the ball home off an upright. England were back in the game and beginning to threaten.

Milner came on for Young after 67 minutes and was something of a revelation. Together with Defoe his presence changed the game as he determinedly and strongly pressed forward. He crossed the ball to Defoe, who narrowly missed his second goal when he headed over. It was the same combination that put England level after 77 minutes. This time Milner again found Defoe who made no mistake bagged his second. With 13 minutes to go you would not have bet against him getting a hat trick.

Please Click Here to visit the Worldsoccer-Online Web Site

So, the match was a draw with a pathetic England defence in the first half, being followed by them dominating the second. Holland are a good side but they seemed to run out of steam, and it would seem that both sides have some work to do before they measure up for the World Cup.

Tags:
Netherlands 2 - 2 England
soccer and football
Netherlands 2 - 2 England