The Dutch, third at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, saw their hopes of a dramatic rescue act in the campaign evaporate as they conceded two first-half goals. PHOTO: AFP
PARIS: Last year’s World Cup semi-finalists, Netherlands were eliminated as Croatia and Turkey took the final automatic qualifying spots for Euro 2016.
The Dutch needed to beat the already-qualified Czech Republic and hope Turkey lost at home to already-qualified Iceland in Konya to salvage third place in Group A and a spot in next month’s play-offs.
But in the end neither happened, with the 1988 European champions going down 3-2 to the Czechs, while Turkey beat Iceland 1-0.
Read: Dark day for Dutch fans who fear the future
The Dutch will miss a major tournament finals for the first time since the 2002 World Cup. They have not failed to qualify for a European Championship since 1984, when the finals were also played in France.
“I have no intention to step down,” said Dutch coach Danny Blind. “I’m going to carry on with my work because I’m under contract until 2018 and I believe in this team.”
Turkey, meanwhile, had Gokhan Tore sent off 12 minutes from time against Iceland but had third place in the bag thanks to events in Amsterdam.
Read: Euro qualifiers England a perfect 10
They went one better, though, as Selcuk Inan’s brilliant free-kick on 89 minutes saw them beat Iceland. And that, coupled with a 1-0 win for Kazakhstan in Latvia allowed Fatih Terim’s side to progress automatically as the best third-placed side.
It made for agonising viewing for Hungary, who had been poised to progress as the best third-placed side. Now they must come through the play-offs next month if they are to reach a first major finals since the 1986 World Cup.
Elsewhere, Croatia clinched qualification from Group H as a 1-0 win in Malta allowed them to snatch second place in the section behind Italy at the expense of Norway.
Read: Euro qualifiers: Holland in danger of missing out as Czechs arrive
Norway had started the day two points clear of Croatia but were beaten 2-1 by already-qualified Italy in Rome, despite Alexander Tettey of Norwich City putting the visitors ahead.
The other game in Group H saw Bulgaria end a disappointing campaign with a 2-0 win over Azerbaijan in Sofia, with Mihail Alexandrov and Dimitar Rangelov on target.
Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina secured third place and a play-off spot in Group B with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Cyprus.
Belgium secured top spot in the group, and with it move to the top of the FIFA world rankings, after beating Israel 3-1 in Brussels.
And Wales celebrated securing their historic first qualification for a major tournament since 1958 by easing past Andorra 2-0 in Cardiff with star duo Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale getting their goals.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 15th, 2015.
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