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Noa Lang caused a lot of danger against Bosnia and Herzegovina. – Photo: KNVB Media
The Dutch national team drew 1-1 in the last match in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League in and against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. After Brian Brobbey’s opening goal, there seemed to be little going on for national coach Ronald Koeman’s team, but the home team put in a good dose of work ethic in the second half and still grabbed a point.
After the 4-0 win over Hungary, the Dutch team had already qualified for the quarter-finals, which gave Koeman the luxury to shuffle his team considerably. He chose no fewer than eleven other names. A striking role was reserved for Joshua Zirkzee, who played behind striker Brian Brobbey. There was also a starting place for Justin Kluivert. The attacker played his only two international matches to date six years ago.
Joshua Zirkzee was still in the stands on Saturday, but was now allowed to play in the ’10 position’.
Match in hand
Bosnia and Herzegovina had something to make up for. The team lost no less than 7-0 to Germany on Saturday, making relegation to League B final. In the opening phase, the team boldly attacked to wash away the bad taste as quickly as possible.
However, the Dutch team survived this period and then took control of the match. The team always had the ball and patiently looked for space in the opponent’s tight defense, which was increasingly retreating.
The first for Brobbey
The first chance was for Stefan de Vrij. Teun Koopmeiners crossed, Armin Gigovic headed away, after which the occasional forward took the ball full on the slipper. Debuting goalkeeper Martin Zlomislic made a good save with his fists.
It took until halfway through the first half before the Dutch team was dangerous again. And this time it was a success. The cross came from Noa Lang from the left, after which Brobbey made it 0-1 with the back of his head. It was also the first goal of the Ajax striker in the Dutch national team.
Moments later, Brobbey also scored his second, but because declarer Lang had started from an offside position, referee Aliyar Ağayev stopped this goal. On the other hand, Edin Dzeko’s goal was also canceled due to offside. Just before half time, Zirkzee and Brobbey were close to 0-2.
Brian Brobbey celebrates his first goal in the Dutch team with Noa Lang.
Equalizer
Even after the break, the Dutch team had the upper hand, but every now and then the home team came through well. Dzeko in particular was a plague for the Dutch defense. The striker caused danger several times and again saw a goal disallowed due to offside.
Thanks to these opportunities, Bosnia and Herzegovina got better and better in the match and got the reward after more than an hour. Dzeko shot at Mark Flek’s fists, after which Ermedin Demirovic scored the equalizer on the rebound.
In the final phase, the Dutch national team, including Cody Gakpo and Wout Weghorst in the team, still looked for victory. Matthijs de Ligt came close after a free kick from Lang and substitute Devyne Rensch bumped into Zlomislic’s feet. In the last minute of injury time, Jorrel Hato shot over from close range.
Devyne Rensch is disappointed after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s equalizer.
Closing date 2024
The 1-1 against Bosnia and Herzegovina marked the last achievement of the Dutch national team in 2024. The denouement of the UEFA Nations League is scheduled for the new year. Next Friday the team will know who their opponent will be in the quarter-finals. These matches are scheduled for March. If the Dutch team survives this confrontation, the Final Four will follow from June 4 to 8.
In the meantime, the Netherlands has already started World Cup qualifying. The draw will be on Friday, December 13.
Statistics View the statistics of this match.
Ronald Koeman: ‘You have to win these kinds of matches’ Read the national coach’s response.
Guest 1: Joshua Zirkzee, Netherlands striker
Website Editor: Joshua, congratulations on your performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Can you share your thoughts on the match and how it felt to be part of such a crucial match in the group stage of the UEFA Nations League?
Joshua Zirkzee: Thank you! It was a good feeling to start the game and play an important role in our team’s performance. We knew it was a must-win match for us to maintain our position in League A, so there was a sense of pressure to perform well. We had a solid game plan and executed it well, creating plenty of scoring opportunities. Although we were able to convert only one into a goal, I think we did what we needed to do.
Website Editor: You started the game on the bench but were brought on later in the second half. How do you handle the pressure of being subbed in during such critical moments?
Joshua Zirkzee: As a player, you always want to be on the field and contribute to the team’s success. When I came on, I knew I had to be ready to make an impact. I focused on keeping the ball and making smart runs to create space for my teammates. The coach’s confidence in me helped boost my confidence, and I’m glad I was able to help secure a point for the team.
Website Editor: Being part of the Dutch national team is always exciting, especially considering the quality of opposition we face. How do you deal with the expectations that come with playing for such a prestigious team?
Joshua Zirkzee: Playing for the national team is a big honor, and I take it very seriously. Of course, there are high expectations, but we’re a team, and we all support each other. We work hard together to meet those expectations and make our country proud. We have a great group of players who are willing to put in the work, and that makes it easier to deal with the pressure.
Website Editor: Moving on to the coach, Ronald Koeman has been making some significant changes to the starting lineup recently. What’s your take on his tactics and approach to the team’s selections?
Guest 2: Noa Lang,
