Hiddink’s job safe after Dutch hit Latvia for six

 

The Netherlands put their Euro 2016 campaign back on track with a 6-0 hammering of Latvia in Amsterdam tonight. They had 71% of the possession and outpassed their opponents by 680 passes to 172.

They ‘Oranje’ now have six points from four games.

Having made their worst start to a European Championship since 3 points for a win was introduced, the Netherlands hosted Latvia under immense pressure. With just three points from three games, there was a sense of panic in the nation who recently reached a World Cup semi final.

To add to it, both the Czech Republic and Iceland had 100% records going into their match tonight in Pilsen. That match kicks off later. The Dutch had lost 2-0 in Rekjavik to Iceland in their last outing, their first ever loss to the Icelanders. Turkey and Kazakhstan make up the group. They meet tonight with both seeking their first win.

Prior to tonight’s game in Amsterdam, Dutch coach Guus Hiddink had promised to quit if the Dutch lose. The seriousness of the circumstances was reflected in the opening 300 seconds. He needn’t have worried.

Ibrahim Afellay hit the post in 116 seconds after Robin van Persie laid the ball back to him. 186 seconds later, it was van Persie who headed the opener from an Arjen Robben cross.

It was van Persie’s 49th goal for the Netherlands amid a whirlwind start that threatened to blow the helpless Latvians away. After a lengthy treatment period to a player left them shorthanded for a while, the game calmed down but more injury ill luck was to follow for Hiddink’s men.

In 18 minutes though, they were forced into a change when Danny Blind landed awkwardly on his knee. Feyenoord’s Jordy Clasie replaced him.

In 22, the Latvian keeper Aleksandrs Kolinko palmed an Affelay shot round the post, Arturs Zjuzins scythed the dangerman down and received the game’s first booking. Antons Kurakins followed him two minutes later for a foul on Robben.

Worryingly for Hiddink, Latvia stemmed the flow and began to compete although van Persie ought to have done better with a tame header in the 34th minute. Robben then soothed nerves with a second goal from long range seconds later.

No nation would know more about floodgates than the Dutch, whose history has been a constant struggle to reclaim land from the ocean. Robben’s goal seemed to have the same effect on an overworked Latvian defence.

Klaus Huntelaar tapped in a third from close range having nimbly nipped in front of a slow reacting Kaspars Gorkss. In doing so, he equaled Dennis Bergkamp’s record of 37 Dutch goals, and became the equal third top scorer in the nation’s history. Affelay was the provider on this occasion.

Twelve minutes after the interval, only the crossbar denied Robben a fourth.

PSV Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay replaced Affelay in 68 to freshen up the Dutch onslaught. Another Eindhoven player Jeffrey Bruma scored his first goal for the Netherlands to add the 4th 13 minutes from full time. Robin van Persie left seconds later to be replaced by Georginio Wijnaldum also of Eindhoven.

Three minutes later Robben added the fifth from just inside the penalty area. In the 89th minute, Huntealaar added a sixth again from just inside the penalty box.

In Group B, Wales secured an excellent 0-0 draw at World Cup quarter finalists Belgium. Wales have 8 points from four games and Belgium 5 after just 3, with their sole win still against Pyrrenean minnows Andorra. Israel host Bosnia-Herzegovina later.

Two sides with 100% records after three games meet in Milan later today when Italy host Croatia in Group H. Norway moved onto 9 points after winning 1-0 in Baku against Azerbaijan. They have played four games.

Coverage of Italy v Croatia to follow.

LATEST: NETHERLANDS 6 : 0 LATVIA 

OTHER RESULTS:
BELGIUM 0 : 0  WALES
CYPRUS 5 : 0 ANDORRA 
AZERBAIJAN 0 : 1 NORWAY

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