International Friendly: England 1-2 Netherlands
England lose to Holland 1-2 at Wembley Stadium in London
Surprisingly, only three footballers who featured in England’s 3-2 International Friendly win against Germany were named in Roy Hodgson’s starting XI against the Netherlands.
Jamie Vardy continued his success in Berlin by putting England ahead of the Dutch in the 41st minute as he scored England’s only goal of the match from the side of his foot past Holland goalie Jeroen Zoet when he opened the scoring from a cross from Kyle Walker four minutes before the interval. England dominated the first half showing excellence in their attacking skills with the score at half-time 1-0.
However in the second half, England could not protect their lead as the Dutch side beat England’s defense and came from behind to score the equalizer, a penalty from Vincent Janssen, at 51 minutes after Danny Rose was penalized for handling a cross. Janssen took the penalty shot and confidently clipped the ball into the top left of the box. England goalie Forster went the wrong way making the score 1-1.
Bruma was booked for bringing down superstar striker Jamie Vardy. Before the free kick was taken, England boss Roy Hodgson subbed Sturridge and Rose with Walcott and Clyne. Milner missed the free kick and the score remained 1-1. Jamie Vardy almost scored a second, aiming to put England ahead again with a kick from 30 yards aiming for the top right of the box. Unfortunately Vardy’s great shot was stopped by Holland’s goalie Zoet who finger tipped the ball over the bar with amazing agility.
England could not get back into the match despite the introductions of Harry Kane and Dele Alli. Bazoer sent a pass to Janssen, who strongly shoulder-charged Jagielka off the ball, then sent it to Narsingh who scored the winner making the score 1-2 Holland at 77 minutes. Near full time Alli made an attempt to even up the score, but ran the ball out of play and the Dutch recorded a definite 1-2 victory at Wembley Stadium in London.
Roy Hodgson and Holland boss Danny Blind shook hands on the touchline thinking the game was over, and then learned that the referee had added on another minute! However a minute was not enough time for England to get back, and as the whistle blew, Holland could give themselves credit for a great comeback performance with a final full-time result of a 2-1 win for Netherlands who did not even qualify for Euro 2016 and will not go to France.
After the clash England maintained that Holland’s two goals were questionable. And England protested that Janssen should have been penalized for fouling Jagielka. Although the game was only a friendly on the way to Euro 2016, England surely would have enjoyed the boost in confidence and optimism a win would have brought to the locker-room to continue their high from The Three Lions’ thrilling victory in Berlin only 70 hours ago.
England wait until May 21st to host Turkey. Netherlands meet Republic of Ireland six days later. Squads and fans at Wembley paid tribute to the late Dutch legend Johan Cruyff at the start of the game. Jamie Vardy scored England's 100th goal under Hodgson and was named man-of-the-match.
Twenty-nine year-old Vardy has made an amazing and seamless transition from the heights of success he has attained with Premier League leaders Leicester City this season to Roy Hodson’s England side while brilliantly demonstrating his capabilities in the friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.
Both Vardy and Spurs striker Harry Kane are certain to fit into Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016. Twenty-six year old Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater earned his first cap for England after Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson made eight changes to his side from the XI that saw off Germany. Daniel Sturridge returned to international football after being out with injury for 573 days.
In Wayne Rooney’s absence, the team was captained by Liverpool footballer James Milner. England’s Fraser Forster of Southampton started in goal, with both Joe Hart and Jack Butland out with injury. Southampton keeper Forster enjoyed a solid night despite a few fumbles.
England v Netherlands Squad Lists
England: Forster, Walker, Smalling, Stones, Rose, Milner, Drinkwater, Vardy, Barkley, Lallana, Sturridge
Subs: Clyne, Heaton, Walcott, Cahill, Jagielka, Henderson, Dier, Kane, Alli, Welbeck.
Holland: Zoet, Veltman, Bruma, Blind, Willems, Wijnaldum, Bazoer, Afellay, Depay, Janssen, Promes.
Subs: Vermeer, Karsdorp, van Dijk, Van Aanholt, Clasie, Narsingh, van Ginkel, Huntelaar, de Jong, Letschert, Vorm.
Referee: Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (Spain)
International Friendly Results from Tuesday March 29, 2016
Germany 4-1 Italy
Portugal 2-1 Belgium
R. of Ireland 2-2 Slovakia
France 4-2 Russia
Scotland 1-0 Denmark
Estonia 0-1 Serbia
Montenegro 0-0 Belarus
Georgia 1-1 Kazakhstan
Macedonia 0-2 Bulgaria
Greece 2-3 Iceland
Gibraltar 0-5 Latvia
England National Team Tickets
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England International Friendly Tickets
England v Turkey Tickets Sun, 22 May 2016 Etihad Stadium, Manchester
England v Australia Tickets Fri, 27 May 2016 Stadium of Light, Sunderland
England v Portugal Tickets Thu, 2 Jun 2016 Wembley Stadium, London
England Euro 2016 Tickets
England vs Russia Tickets Sat, 11 Jun Velodrome Marseille, Marseille, France
England vs Wales Tickets Thu, 16 Jun Stade Felix Bollaert, Lens, France
Slovakia vs England Tickets Mon, 20 Jun Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France
