Netherlands Hold On In Skopje

CelticKing · Sep 10, 2008

Netherlands Hold On In Skopje

Macedonia 1-2 Netherlands

As expected, Holland had a difficult evening in Skopje. However, goals from Heitinga and Van der Vaart proved to be enough to secure a 2-1 win against an enthusiastic Macedonian side.

Neither Holland or Macedonia were able to impress in tonight's Group 9 qualifier, but the Dutch will be happy to take the three points back to Holland.

Macedonian manager Katanec opted to make two changes to the starting XI that defeated Scotland. Petrov and Grozdanovski were replaced by Trajanov and Georgievski.

Bert van Marwijk only made one change from the friendly line-up against Australia. Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben replaced Ryan Babel on the left wing, as expected.

First Half

Neither of the side really got going in the early stages of the game and both lacked the creativity needed to create serious goalscoring opportunities in the first fifteen minutes.

Arsenal winger Van Persie was booked within the first quarter of an hour for fouling hosts' star man, Goran Pandev.

Minutes later, Arjen Robben was close to scoring the opener when a Van der Vaart through ball reached the Real Madrid man. He had no problems getting rid of his marker, but aimed wide of the Macedonian goal, hitting no more than the side-netting.

Both sides conceded a lot of petty fouls during the first half hour, slowing down the pace of the game. Naumoski, scorer against the Scots, was booked for diving.

Macedonia thought they'd opened the scoring after 30 minutes, when Lazio striker Goran Pandev diverted a cross from the right behind Stekelenburg. However, the Macedonian hitman was in an offside position and his goal was cancelled. It was close, though, and the situation will most likely be watched over and over again.

Macedonia were starting to get a little bit tired as the half wore on and Holland took the initiative. The first nice attack of the match gifted Ajax skipper Huntelaar a great chance, but his shot was deflected wide, resulting in a corner for The Netherlands.

Another chance for Huntelaar resulted from the corner, but Milosevski saved his header off the line with a good reflex stop.

Second Half

Holland started the second half brilliantly and needed only one minute to open the scoring. Real Madrid playmaker Van der Vaart took a free kick very quick and found Robben. His cross from the left was deflected by the Macedonian captain and reached Heitinga, who headed the ball into the net.

Holland continued to be the dominant side and Heitinga was close to doubling his tally. However, his shot from Van der Vaart corner went just wide.

Soon, a beautiful pass from gifted Van der Vaart the chance to double Holland's lead. The former Ajax star didn't fail and Macedonia keeper Milosevski couldn't handle his left-footed strike.

Pandev saw another goal disallowed in the 67th minute. His first attempt was saved by Stekelenburg and the attacker stood offside once again as he turned the ball into the net.

Nevertheless, Macedonia still believed in the possibility to grab a point and Pandev was close to cutting the margin in half. However, his shot sailed over Stekelenburg's goal.

Macedonia finally scored in the 78th minute. Huntelaar fouled forward Naumoski in the box after a dangerous Macedonian free kick and the referee had no choice but to award the spot kick. Pandev had no problem scoring from 12 yards, placing the ball past Stekelenburg.

With five minutes to go, it looked as though The Netherlands had to continue with ten men after Atletico Madrid defender Heitinga pulled up injured. However, the strong defender was able to continue after receiving treatment.

Macedonia gave everything they had in the last few minutes of the match and were unlucky when a dangerous cross from the right was deflected and cleared by the Dutch defence.

For Oranje, Klaas Jan Huntelaar came close to restoring the two-goal advantage on more than one occasion in injury time. However, it was just not his night and he failed to add his name to the score sheet.

Line-ups:

Macedonia: Milosevski, Noveski, Sedlowski, Mitresvski, V. Lazarevski (Petrov 58), Georgievski, Sumulikoski, Trajanov (Ristic 83), Maznov (Tasevski 62), Pandev, Naumoski.

Netherlands: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer (Boulahrouz 28), Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong, Van Persie (Kuyt 70), Van der Vaart, Robben (Afellay 82), Huntelaar.

Referee: Gilewski (Poland)

Yellow Cards: Naumoski, Ristic (Macedonia), Van Persie, Van der Vaart, Huntelaar (Netherlands)

Goals: Pandev 78 (pen); Heitinga 46, Van der Vaart 60
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