Olympic Games 2008 » Group B » USA - Netherlands 2:2
United States 2-2 Netherlands
The USA stunned the Oranje by racing into a comeback lead, only for the Dutch to salvage a point in the very last second.
USA won their first match against Japan 1-0, while Holland was unable to claim the victory in their opener against Nigeria (0-0). Meaning that Holland needed the win in today’s match.
Foppe de Haan made some changes to his squad compared to that which started the match against Nigeria. Bakkal and Beerens replaced Jong-a-Pin and Makaay and Holland changed to a 4-3-3 system. The USA on the other hand named an unchanged line-up to that which faced the Japanese.
First Half
Both teams had some good chances in an enterprising first half, with Royston Drenthe the first to fire at the American goal. His shot missed the target by only a meter early on.
With Foppe de Haan’s return to the classic Dutch 4-3-3 system, some runs down the flanks were expected by the opposition. However, USA were still unable to stop a nice Holland attack in the 16th minute. A trademark Jonathan de Guzman cross was met by Ryan Babel, who saw his shot initially saved by USA goalie Guzan. The rebound fell to the quick striker, who didn’t hesitate to open the scoring.
Holland remained the better team after the opener, but didn’t manage to add more goals to the score sheet.
USA took over the match in the last fifteen minutes of the first half, with a couple of dangerous free kicks. None of these led to the desired result for the Americans.
Holden, the match winner against Japan, fired in a dangerous shot in the 40th minute, but saw his effort stopped by Holland goalie Vermeer, who then pounced on the rebound.
Second Half
No changes made to either side when the match restarted. Maduro had a big chance in the 48th minute, but his header ended up at the wrong side of the post.
The Americans were getting stronger and it seemed to be just a matter of time before the equalizer came. Indeed, in the 65th minute Kljestan had no problems weaving past Jaliens, and he remained cool in a one-on -ne with Holland goalie before equalising.
Jozy Altidore entered the pitch for Rogers in the 65th minute and Jong-a-Pin replaced Beerens five minutes later.
USA continued to be the better team and take the lead in the 73th minute. Holland were unable to remove the ball from their own box and Altidore tipped in the cross from Orozco to make it 2-1.
Panic for Holland ensued, and Makaay and Sibon entered the pitch to replace Drenthe and Marcellis in the 75th minute. Will the Dutch sensationally lose against USA? That seemed to be on the cards by this point.
But Holland didn’t give up fighting, creating small chances in the finalminutes of a very entertaining match. However, Guzan stood firm on an attempt from Sibon and USA seemed to be about to celebrate their second victory.
Nevertheless, in the dying seconds of the match Holland were rewarded a free kick on the edge of the box and have a final chance to equalize. Substitute Sibon steps up and fires in a shot that goes straight through the wall, and Guzan is unable to stop the shot. The equalizer is there. 2-2, and in such dramatic circumstances!
Holland will face the already eliminated Japan on Wednesday and need to win in order to qualify for the next round. USA will take on Nigeria in the other match without the likes of Adu and Bradley, who are suspended after having received their second yellow card of the tournament. They
USA 2-2 NETHERLANDS
0-1 Babel 16'
1-1 Kljestan 64'
1-2 Altidore 72'
2-2 Sibon 90+3'
USA: Guzan - Edu, Orozco, Wynne, Bradley - Holden, Rogers (Altidore 65), Parkhurst, Kljestan - Adu (Feilhaber 80), McBride.
Netherlands: Vermeer - Zuiverloon, Jaliens, Marcellis (Makaay 75), Emanuelson - Bakkal, De Guzman, Maduro - Beerens (Jong-a-Pin 69), Babel, Drenthe (Sibon 75).
Referee: Hester (New Zealand)
Yellow Cards: Edu, Adu, Bradley, Holden (USA), Marcellis (Holland)
Foppe de Haan made some changes to his squad compared to that which started the match against Nigeria. Bakkal and Beerens replaced Jong-a-Pin and Makaay and Holland changed to a 4-3-3 system. The USA on the other hand named an unchanged line-up to that which faced the Japanese.
First Half
Both teams had some good chances in an enterprising first half, with Royston Drenthe the first to fire at the American goal. His shot missed the target by only a meter early on.
With Foppe de Haan’s return to the classic Dutch 4-3-3 system, some runs down the flanks were expected by the opposition. However, USA were still unable to stop a nice Holland attack in the 16th minute. A trademark Jonathan de Guzman cross was met by Ryan Babel, who saw his shot initially saved by USA goalie Guzan. The rebound fell to the quick striker, who didn’t hesitate to open the scoring.
Holland remained the better team after the opener, but didn’t manage to add more goals to the score sheet.
USA took over the match in the last fifteen minutes of the first half, with a couple of dangerous free kicks. None of these led to the desired result for the Americans.
Holden, the match winner against Japan, fired in a dangerous shot in the 40th minute, but saw his effort stopped by Holland goalie Vermeer, who then pounced on the rebound.
Second Half
No changes made to either side when the match restarted. Maduro had a big chance in the 48th minute, but his header ended up at the wrong side of the post.
The Americans were getting stronger and it seemed to be just a matter of time before the equalizer came. Indeed, in the 65th minute Kljestan had no problems weaving past Jaliens, and he remained cool in a one-on -ne with Holland goalie before equalising.
Jozy Altidore entered the pitch for Rogers in the 65th minute and Jong-a-Pin replaced Beerens five minutes later.
USA continued to be the better team and take the lead in the 73th minute. Holland were unable to remove the ball from their own box and Altidore tipped in the cross from Orozco to make it 2-1.
Panic for Holland ensued, and Makaay and Sibon entered the pitch to replace Drenthe and Marcellis in the 75th minute. Will the Dutch sensationally lose against USA? That seemed to be on the cards by this point.
But Holland didn’t give up fighting, creating small chances in the finalminutes of a very entertaining match. However, Guzan stood firm on an attempt from Sibon and USA seemed to be about to celebrate their second victory.
Nevertheless, in the dying seconds of the match Holland were rewarded a free kick on the edge of the box and have a final chance to equalize. Substitute Sibon steps up and fires in a shot that goes straight through the wall, and Guzan is unable to stop the shot. The equalizer is there. 2-2, and in such dramatic circumstances!
Holland will face the already eliminated Japan on Wednesday and need to win in order to qualify for the next round. USA will take on Nigeria in the other match without the likes of Adu and Bradley, who are suspended after having received their second yellow card of the tournament. They
USA 2-2 NETHERLANDS
0-1 Babel 16'
1-1 Kljestan 64'
1-2 Altidore 72'
2-2 Sibon 90+3'
USA: Guzan - Edu, Orozco, Wynne, Bradley - Holden, Rogers (Altidore 65), Parkhurst, Kljestan - Adu (Feilhaber 80), McBride.
Netherlands: Vermeer - Zuiverloon, Jaliens, Marcellis (Makaay 75), Emanuelson - Bakkal, De Guzman, Maduro - Beerens (Jong-a-Pin 69), Babel, Drenthe (Sibon 75).
Referee: Hester (New Zealand)
Yellow Cards: Edu, Adu, Bradley, Holden (USA), Marcellis (Holland)
A last minute goal from Gerald Sibon broke United States heart of ensuring three points from the game.
Netherlands
17′ Ryan Babel
90′ Gerald Sibon
United States
64′ Sacha Kljestan
72′ ALTIDORE Josmer
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