Netherlands Face Exit From Euros

 

                                 Netherlands' Daley Blind (L) gestures during defeat at Turkey

The Netherlands are on the verge of failing to qualify for the European Championship finals for the first time in more than 30 years after a 3-0 loss to Turkey left them fourth in Group A.

Euro 2016: Qualified nations

• France (hosts)
• England
• Czech Republic
• Iceland

Turkey took the lead through Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup when after eight minutes he finished a quick counterattack.


Their lead was doubled 20 minutes later when Barcelona's Arda Turan's shot somehow squirmed under Jasper Cillessen. Burak Yılmaz made it three in the dying minutes when he turned inside the penalty area, before his effort was deflected past the Ajax 'keeper.




With two games remaining, Netherlands are eight points adrift of second spot in the group and it means manager Danny Blind would have to navigate the Oranje through a play-off if they are to avoid missing their first European Championships since 1984.

Netherlands take on Kazakhstan and the already-through Czech Republic in their final two matches, but must rely on Turkey dropping points in order to pip them to a play-off spot.



The Czechs booked their own place at the tournament by beating Latvia 2-1 in Riga. David Limbersky and Vladimir Darida scored the first-half goals that ensured the visitors of a top-two spot alongside Iceland, with Arturs Zjuzins responding for Latvia in the 73rd minute.

And later on Sunday Iceland became the smallest country to qualify for the finals of the European Championship thanks to a point from a goalless draw with Kazakhstan sealing their passage to a first ever major championship.

The Nordic island nation boasts an estimated population of around 329,100 people, and 23 of their number will be selected to compete at Euro 2016 in France next summer,

Six wins from their previous seven games proved to be a more than solid foundation and a further Group A point, secured against Kazakhstan in Reykjavik, got Iceland over the line.




Wales were made to wait to see if Cyprus would do them a favour in Group B and help them qualify for their first finals since 1958, but it was not to be.


Had the Dragons beaten Israel in Cardiff they would have reached France under their own steam, but the game ended goalless despite the efforts of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Hal Robson-Kanu.


Cyprus did put up a fight in their encounter with Belgium, with only a last-gasp winner from Eden Hazard settling a 1-0 win that caused spirits to sink in both Nicosia and Wales.




Bosnia's hopes of sneaking into the top three were given a boost as goals from Ermin Bicakcic, Edin Dzeko and Senad Lulic saw Andorra defeated 3-0 in Zenica.



Italy are in control of Group I and their own destiny after Daniele de Rossi's early penalty inflicted a 1-0 loss on Bulgaria.

Norway had earlier moved top of the standings thanks to a 2-0 home triumph over Croatia.

Both strikes came from Jo Inge Berget, the Malmo player popping up in the 51st and 69th minutes to put the Scandinavian nation on the brink of qualifying.

Malta and Azerbaijan have nothing to play for in the group, but shared an exciting 2-2 draw on the Mediterranean island.

Rahid Amirquliyev both opened and closed the scoring at the Ta'Qali National Stadium, with Michael Mifsud and Alfred Effiong notching in between times to grab a point for Malta.