Denzel Dumfries prevents a painful evening with a late goal. – Photo: KNVB Media
The Dutch national team drew 1-1 against Hungary in Budapest on Friday. Ronald Koeman’s team had been trailing for a long time, but came level with ten men in the final phase thanks to a striking header from Denzel Dumfries.
The evening started with a minute of applause in tribute to Johan Neeskens, one of the greatest Dutch football players of all time, who died on Sunday. The Dutch team also played with mourning bands.
Koeman chose Joshua Zirkzee as striker against the Hungarians. In midfield, Quinten Timber got a chance in the absence of Jerdy Schouten. Micky van de Ven and Stefan de Vrij also returned to the starting eleven.
Hungary and the Netherlands commemorated Johan Neeskens, who died on Sunday, before the kick-off.
Not very sparkling
The first half was not very sparkling. Hungary had suffered a heavy 5-0 defeat against Germany during the previous international match and had little desire to be led to the slaughter again. The team sat back and gave the Dutch team, who always had the ball, little room to make a fun game of it.
Tijjani Reijnders was the first to find space. With a nice move he reached the end line, but his cross just missed Zirkzee. After just under half an hour, the Orange crowd bounced back again when the same Reijnders was given a free shooting opportunity. However, his effort was not hard enough, allowing goalkeeper Denes Dibusz to easily save. From the corner that followed, Timber shot narrowly wide.
Behind
Hungary had hardly any attacking intentions, but remarkably enough they had the best chances. Roland Sallai had already given a warning by curling the ball onto the post after a corner kick and moments later made the surprising 1-0. After losing the ball in midfield, Zsolt Nagy passed from the left, giving the Galatasaray attacker plenty of time to shoot in at the far post. A major setback for Koeman’s team.
Just before half-time, the Dutch team had a remarkable opportunity to level the score. Gakpo was allowed to aim for an indirect free kick in Hungary’s ‘sixteen’. The Liverpool attacker surprisingly did not try with a hard shot, but hoped to surprise the Hungarian goalkeeper with a careful effort through his legs. However, Dibusz arrived just in time.
Hungary surprisingly took the lead.
Mission
After the break, the Dutch team continued in its mission to demolish the Hungarian wall. Stefan de Vrij was twice close to an equalizer with his head after free kicks from the left by Gakpo. Reijnders also managed to create danger. The first time he needed just one too many ball contacts otherwise he would have been face to face with the goalkeeper. A little later he shot past after a good action.
The Dutch team entered the final phase with fresh players Guus Til, Donyell Malen and Brian Brobbey. The Ajax striker immediately had a great opportunity with his first ball contact. Gakpo crossed, but the detached Brobbey could not get his head against the ball.
The painful evening seemed complete when Virgil van Dijk received two yellow cards within three minutes. However, the Dutch team straightened out and still leveled with ten men. The ever-energetic Dumfries headed home Gakpo’s free kick: 1-1. In the final minutes, despite a final offensive by Hungary, this did not change.
Tijjani Reijnders cleared himself well, but shot wide.
Monday against Germany
The Dutch team continues the Nations League on Monday against Germany, which won 1-2 against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday. Kick-off in Munich is at 8:45 PM.
Statistics View the statistics of this match.
Ronald Koeman: ‘This point is very important’ Read the reactions after Hungary – Netherlands.
