Jong Oranje has qualified for the quarter-finals of the European Championship on Wednesday. The team of coach Michael Reiziger won the last group match 2-0 against Ukraine.
Jong Oranje had only one point in the first two group matches and had to win against Ukraine to reach the quarter-finals. The Netherlands was also dependent on the result in Finland-Denmark.
In Presov, Slovakia, Jong Oranje initially had a hard time with Ukraine, but after half an hour Million Manhoef created the first danger. Four minutes later, Luciano Valente provided the liberating opening goal. The midfielder of FC Groningen shot in on a pass from Ruben van Bommel.
Ukraine could not do much in the first half, although Jong Oranje goalkeeper Robin Roefs made it exciting for a moment by cutting out an opponent in front of his goal. Just before half-time, Manhoef was close to 2-0, but his shot went over.
Early in the second half, Thom van Bergen, who was preferred in the striker position over Noah Ohio, doubled the lead. The attacker of FC Groningen lobbed the ball over Ukraine goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret after a beautiful pass from Kenneth Taylor.
Valente scores for Jong Oranje after smart pressure from Van Bergen
Shortly afterwards, Van Bommel also found the goal, but his goal was disallowed due to a foul. The Netherlands was clearly the better team and got the necessary chances for 3-0, but failed to extend the score further.
Jong Oranje had to continue with ten men for the last ten minutes due to a red card for Youri Regeer. The substitute had to leave the field because he came in on an opponent with a high leg. But even with ten men, the Netherlands held on to the lead.
Thanks to the victory, Jong Oranje finishes in group D as second behind Denmark, which drew 2-2 against Finland. The Finns had to win by a large margin to keep the Netherlands out of a place in the quarter-finals.
Jong Oranje will play against Portugal in the quarter-finals on Saturday (kick-off at 6:00 PM). The Portuguese finished the group stage undefeated.
