Tim Krul collected his 3rd cap for Holland last night, and played the whole game against Bulgaria in Amsterdam, as the Dutch were surprisingly beaten 2-1, when they conceded a poor late goal.
A dejected Tim Krul after conceding the winner in stoppage time
The Dutch went ahead jusrt before half-time, when Arsenal’s Robin van Persie put the ball in the net and it was 1-0 at the break.
But then Bulgaria were awarded a rather dubious penalty just five minutes into the second half, and Ivelin Popov easily sent the Newcastle goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, and scored easily.
And then well into stoppage time, a perfect right wing cross came in from Manolev, and Mitsanski headed the ball home from a narrow angle, to give Bulgaria a famous win against the Dutch.
The Netherlands will play Slovakia on Wednesday night, as they continue their preparations for Euro 2012, and they are a favorite in the tournament, along with World Champions Spain.
Holland are taking three goalkeepers to Euro2012 in their final squad of 23, and they are Tim Krul, Swansea keeper Michel Vorm and Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
Bulgaria did not qualify for the finals, and finished bottom of qualifying Group G, which England won with 18 points from their eight games, and finished 6 points above second placed Montenegro.
Here is a video of the goals last night:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9z6c20kV7E
Teams:
Holland: Krul, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen (Bouma 17), Willems (Schaars 64), Van Bommel, Nigel De Jong (Strootman 85), Sneijder, Van der Vaart (Kuyt 64), Huntelaar (Robben 77), van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Stekelenburg, Boulahrouz, Vlaar, Narsingh, Luuk De Jong, Vorm.
Goals: van Persie 45.
Bulgaria: Kolev (Chvorovich 72), Ivanov (Valentin Iliev 72), Bodurov, Iordan Minev (Stoyanov 56), Veselin Minev, Manolev, Georgi Milanov (Zlatinski 85), Dyakov, Gadzhev, Popov (Tonev 78), Bojinov (Mitsanski 60).
Subs Not Used: Zanev, Velev.
Goals: Popov 50 pen, Mitsanski 90.
Att: 51, 000
Ref: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (Spain).
157 comments so far
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:29 PM
Comment #81france 0-1 ice
jesperfuglsang
May 27, 2012 at 8:30 PM
Comment #82I don’t think they are very good at setting up Ben Arfa or use him. He seeems to play to far out on the right and too defensive at times.
The central mid is way too offensive if you ask me.
jesperfuglsang
May 27, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Comment #83Not easy being Gourcuff then…or Ben Arfa
barkerslovesnufc
May 27, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Comment #84Mathieu Debuchy looks good, good cross…
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Comment #85Defense fell asleep there.
Cant help but feel Benzema and Nasri are neglecting HBA a bit. There have been times when he is in a good position to create chances but ignored.
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Comment #86arfa giveng ball.away alot
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:33 PM
Comment #87Evra is terrible. Hope Clichy is just being rested. Would be a mistake to give Evra the nod over Clichy in the tournament
Indian Magpie
May 27, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Comment #882-0
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Comment #89EVRA again.
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:35 PM
Comment #90LGFUAD21
May 27 – 8:31 PM
Defense fell asleep there.
Cant help but feel Benzema and Nasri
are neglecting HBA a bit. There have
been times when he is in a good
position to create chances but
ignored.
agree looks like they dnt want arfa playn with them..
franc 0-2 ice
Indian Magpie
May 27, 2012 at 8:36 PM
Comment #91gET mVILLA ON FOR GORCUFF
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Comment #92Nasri looks like a shitty league 2 player
jesperfuglsang
May 27, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Comment #93The midfield id the problem; the central mid plays way too high leaving no room for Gourcuff and Ben Arfa is playing way too defensive and far out on the right.
I would take Nasri off at half time and switch Ben Arfa to an ACM.
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Comment #94Nasri so selfish took away arfas ball n messd it fool.needs to b replaced by frank
davybtoon
May 27, 2012 at 8:38 PM
Comment #95France not getting hba in the game enough
Papiss9
May 27, 2012 at 8:39 PM
Comment #96Give Iceland some credit too, they have taken their opportunities guite well. Very good work by the right winger on the second goal
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:40 PM
Comment #97Nasri again.not passng the ball.to arfa. dickhead
Beardo
May 27, 2012 at 8:40 PM
Comment #98We’re not signing Sinama-Pongolle! 😮
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:41 PM
Comment #99benzima = shola , all.the time ofside
davybtoon
May 27, 2012 at 8:42 PM
Comment #100Beardo fryers still having a medical tomorrow
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:43 PM
Comment #101arfa looks alive now
pbNcl
May 27, 2012 at 8:44 PM
Comment #102They should respect our benny. Clowns. Jealous clowns
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Comment #103wata ball by arfa
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:45 PM
Comment #104Cant understand why france wouldnt want him. Even factoring out my own bias he is such a lethal player to have at times. His pace and vision.
He really has developed into a great player here.
Everything is going through Nasri who is not making any sparks today.
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Comment #105as good as menez is France are now looking more dangerous attacking down the right than theyw ere down the left.
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Comment #106Nasri thinks he is ben arfa … but he aint arfa
Papiss9
May 27, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Comment #107Ben Arfa is showing why he should be in the starting 11. The midfield is a bit too offensive tho. cabaye gourcuff defensive.. with menez nasri arfa in front.
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Comment #108just hopen arfa isnt been sub n 2nd half 🙁
TheChippedFifth
May 27, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Comment #109Taking a sex education class taught by Gary Glitter is too good for Ashley.
pbNcl
May 27, 2012 at 8:49 PM
Comment #110Come on ben arfa rise to the top son
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:53 PM
Comment #111Papiss9
Agree 100%
Not bashing Iceland or saying they dont deserve their lead. They have played the game in front of them.
France have been let down by their defense. Namely Evra but are moving the ball around well. Problem is they are a) so determined to pick out clever but risky through balls and loosing possession or not getting forward enough. Thats why they are struggling to get through the deep lying Iceland team.
I would have Matuidi in the middle instead of Gourcuff. Reckon Nasri will wake up a bit second half.
But the thing with friendlies like this is that they are there for experimentation so who knows what team will be fielded in Poland
matias
May 27, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Comment #112Well done Benny! Became one of the most visible players as the first half advanced. Only made a couple of questionable decision but that was after his team put him into a difficult position. Nice link up with Benzema too.
Yohan was good too and did get a few shots in.
On this evidence both will get playing time in Ukraine.
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:55 PM
Comment #113Papiss9
Again agree if you read my post.
I think Cabaye should be used as an AM though. Gourcuff just isnt doing anything other than throw in some silly tackles.
level7wonder
May 27, 2012 at 8:58 PM
Comment #114I reckon we should sign serge like what a goal
SupaToonKid
May 27, 2012 at 8:59 PM
Comment #115Only seen 45 minutes of Mathieu Debuchy and he looks 10000x better than Simmo. Debuchy is so good at crossing; him and Santon as our fullbacks would be unbelievable on the attack. Hope to see a bit of Marvin Martin & Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa this 2nd half.
LGFUAD21
May 27, 2012 at 8:59 PM
Comment #116matias
He really did come into the game towards the end. Will be disappointed if he gets subbed.
It always seems to be that if a team is down he is first one to go off. But when you have a guy that can pull out something special, surely you’d want him on.
ToonDownSouth
May 27, 2012 at 9:06 PM
Comment #117SupaToonKid
Martin won’t sign for us – the other day he said that it would be a pointless career move moving to a team not in the CL.
Obviously, footballers don’t always do what they say (;
Papiss9
May 27, 2012 at 9:07 PM
Comment #118LGFUAD21
agree
Alou Diarra may be an alternative too. Ofcourse it is just a friendly and they are experimenting.
Also agree that gourcuff does not do too much, he was allways hyped up as a very good talent, but it’s a reason why milan didn’t want him. He played well for bordeaux one year.
France have a lot of offensive midfielders and wingers who fight for three places. I think blanc see cabaye as a deep playmaker who can dictate the play while playing alongside a hard worker like mathiudi or diarra. Why is not moussa sissoko in the squad btw??
JAMSHA
May 27, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Comment #119debuchiiiiiiii scores
Indian Magpie
May 27, 2012 at 9:09 PM
Comment #120Debuchy