Holland U-21 record 2-1 win over Spain

Holland made it five wins from five games as they continued a perfect start to their 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign. Cor Pot’s team recorded a fine 2-1 victory against Spain in Rotterdam on Tuesday night. PSV defender Erik Pieters captained the Holland Under-21 side.

Spain were the better team in the initial stages but the home side took the lead on 14 minutes. Georginio Wijnaldum set up Erik Falkenburg on the right flank to score the opening goal: 1-0 Captain Erik Pieters had already been shown a yellow card for a foul on Capel, who went down theatrically when he was slightly pushed. Holland U-21 were in control and switched quickly from defence to attack.

Wijnaldum doubled lead
After the break, the Spaniards took the initiative back, but Holland took their defence by surprise with a lethal counter-attack on the hour-mark. Joshua John delivered the cross and Georginio Wijnaldum, left completely unmarked, headed home, against the run of play: 2-0. Spain reduced the deficit ten minutes from time and hit the woodwork twice as Holland held o for a hard-fought win. Holland U-21 are on top of Group 4 with fifteen points from five games. They will return to action on 18 March when they host Poland in Doetinchem before they make trips to face Liechtenstein on 11 August and Spain on 3 September.

The ten group winners and four runners-up with the best record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their sections advance to the play-offs, where seven two-leg ties will decide who joins hosts Denmark in the 2011 finals.