Holland v Czech Republic - SUMMARY
Czech's through to quarters
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| Czech Republic's midfielder Vladimir Smicer jubilates after his goal 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during the Euro 2004 group D football match against Netherlands at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Joe KLAMAR |
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| Netherlands' goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar (L) holds the ball in front of Czech Republic's forward Jan Koller, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match at the European Nations championship in Portugal. AFP PHOTO Franck FIFE |
The Czech Republic became the first team to book a place in the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 after they stormed back from two goals down to beat the Netherlands 3-2 in a gripping Group D clash here on Saturday.
Second-half substitute Vladimir Smicer netted a dramatic close-range winner two minutes from time after Jan Koller and Milan Baros had wiped out the excellent Dutch start.
Man of the match Pavel Nedved saluted his team's sparkling comeback.
"It was a fantastic evening and a fantastic match for us. The way we came back after going two goals behind was extraordinary."
Czech coach Karel Bruckner said: "I can sum up the match very quickly by saying that was good work out there."
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| Netherlands' forward Ruud Van Nistelrooij jubilates after his goal, 19 June 2004 at Aveiro's stadium, during their Euro 2004 group D football match against Czech Republic at the European Nations championship in Portugal.AFP PHOTO Mladen ANTONOV |
Goals from Wilfred Bouma and Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Holland a flying start and they will be kicking themselves on Sunday morning.
Bruckner dismissed criticism of the Czech defenders who allowed the Dutch to score twice in the opening 19 minutes.
"I will use the same defenders in our next matches even if everything was not perfect on the right side tonight.
After Baros had restored parity, Dutch defender Johnny Heitinga was sent off and the 10-man Dutch were caught with a sucker punch in the 88th minute when Smicer tucked home Karel Poborsky's cut-back.
The Netherlands are third in the group with a single point, one behind Germany and level with Latvia who they play on Wednesday in their final match