The Dutch national team started the World Cup qualification on Saturday with an easy victory over Finland. Goals before halftime by Memphis Depay and Denzel Dumfries secured a 0-2 win for Ronald Koeman’s team at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki.
Oranje was simply too strong for the Finns, who are 69th in the FIFA rankings. After 23 minutes, the Netherlands was already leading 0-2, so it never became exciting.
Memphis’s early 0-1 was his 48th international goal in his 101st international match. The 31-year-old striker is approaching Robin van Persie’s fifty goals, who has been Oranje’s all-time top scorer for twelve years.
Memphis may be able to match Van Persie on Tuesday, as Oranje will play against the weak Malta in Groningen. The Maltese drew 0-0 against Lithuania earlier in the day.
Poland, which was not in action, leads Group G with six points from two matches. Only the group winner qualifies directly for next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Oranje gets many chances in the opening phase
In his press conference on Friday evening, Koeman emphasized that Oranje had to play with conviction and energy. That also happened in the first half hour in an almost sold-out Olympic Stadium. The Finns made mistakes, whether or not forced by Oranje. In the sixth minute, that already resulted in the 0-1. Kaan Kairinen played the ball back wrong with his chest and Memphis profited.
It could have quickly been 0-2 afterwards. From a cross by Cody Gakpo, Jeremie Frimpong headed the ball at the feet of Finnish goalkeeper Lukas Hrádecky. Moments later, Frimpong was the provider and Dumfries headed wide.
Oranje continued to attack, especially via the wings. Halfway through the first half, it became 0-2 after all. Gakpo laid the ball at the far post and the onrushing Dumfries shot in from close range.
With 0-2 on the scoreboard, the match was as good as decided. Oranje took some gas back and became sloppy. As a result, there were some chances for the Finns. Go Ahead Eagles attacker Oliver Antman was the busiest attacker for the home team. He shot once straight into the hands of goalkeeper Mark Flekken and a subsequent shot flew over.
De Vrij replaces Van Hecke
The lesser phase before halftime made Koeman decide at halftime to replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who was unconvincing at times, with Stefan de Vrij. Meanwhile, Oranje’s game did not improve, but the Finns were too weak to hurt Koeman’s team.
Moreover, the home team remained vulnerable in the back. Finnish loss of possession led to a great chance for Memphis, who shot at Hrádecky. Tijjani Reijnders also missed a decent opportunity.
Twenty minutes before the end, Koeman brought in Wout Weghorst and Justin Kluivert with fresh attacking power. The national coach hoped to force more that way, but it did not work. In the last part, Oranje did not get further than a chance for Frenkie de Jong.
The Finns did push in the final phase. There were some opportunities for the team of coach Jacob Friis, but that was not enough for a consolation goal. So it remained 0-2 and it is hoped for more goals on Tuesday in Groningen against Malta.