Netherlands 2 - 1 Portugal

Drive and vigour
Van Basten would have liked what he saw as Foppe de Haan's Jong Oranje played with a drive and vigour missing from their victory against Israel four days earlier. Goals in each half from Ryan Babel, a penalty, and Maceo Rigters and another commanding performance from Royston Drenthe made sure of the points, though a near capacity crowd in the Euroborg were made to sweat for victory after Miguel Veloso pulled a goal back late on. While the Netherlands can now dream of the Olympics, Portugal must beat Israel on Saturday if they are to avoid an early exit for the second year running.

Drenthe impresses
It was safety first for Portugal coach José Couceiro who had clearly picked Drenthe out as the Dutch dangerman. He made three changes from the side that had drawn with Belgium, and two of the new faces, Amoreirinha and Ruben Amorim, came in on the right in a bid to contain the Feyenoord player. Drenthe, though, simply picked up from where he left off against Israel. Amoreirinha was booked for bringing him down in the fifth minute before Drenthe crossed to Ryan Donk, who just as Babel had done against Israel, contrived to shoot over when it looked easier to score.

Exhilarating
Belgium's victory against Israel earlier in the evening had added to the pressure on Portugal who enjoyed plenty of possession without creating any end product. In contrast, the Netherlands attacked with purpose with Drenthe the driving force. On 27 minutes the 20-year-old blazed over after another exhilarating forward dash and it seemed a goal could not be long in coming.

Babel scores
It duly arrived six minutes later. Babel fed Rigters on the right and the striker was brought down by goalkeeper Paulo Ribeiro. Babel drilled in the spot kick to bring the Netherlands their reward. The substitution of Boy Waterman, who was suffering from a back injury, for Kenneth Vermeer, the Netherlands goalkeeper when they won this competition last year, briefly slowed Dutch momentum, but De Haan's side were soon back in full flow, Otman Bakkal slipping the ball to Rigters who shot against the post two minutes before the break.

Moutinho subdued
Bakkal had replaced the injured Ismaïl Aissati, who will play no further part in the competition because of a torn meniscus, but the PSV Eindhoven player's absence was not felt in the first half against a Portugal side that showed little urgency until after the break. Vermeer was soon forced into saves from Hugo Almeida and Veloso, but when Couceiro was sent to the stands for persistent complaining on 63 minutes it only served to rouse the home crowd.

Rigters strikes
Portugal were increasingly forcing the holders back and were unlucky not to draw level on 72 minutes. Semedo's shot deflected off Vlaar, but Vermeer showed great reflexes to save. Three minutes later the Netherlands appeared to make the game safe when Rigters turned in Drenthe's low cross. Veloso's superb free-kick with 13 minutes to play, however, set up a tense finale which brought plenty of drama but no further goals.

Highlights from Holland Vs Portugal

http://footballocks.net/index.php/266/port...-21-highlights/

Highlights From Belgium Vs Israel

http://footballocks.net/index.php/265/belg...-21-highlights/

Holland no8(Drenthe) very aggresif,i like it,his hair like Edgar Davids,his style too

This post has been edited by faris21: Jun 14 2007, 11:52 AM

last night match:

England 2-2 Italy

Czech Republic 0-1 Serbia


6/14/2007 10:35 PM
Under-21: Italy Snatch England Draw, Serbia Into Semis

Italy responded bravely to going 2-0 down to England, and stamped their authority on the game in the second half, picking up a draw that keeps both teams alive. However, the Azzurrini are on the brink, with qualification now out of their own hands.


Goals from David Nugent and Leroy Lita handed England a 2-0 lead on the back of a spectacular start.

However, it could well have been 4-0 before Italy could take stock, but for Lita failing to tap into an open net, and Nugent striking the bar.

Casiraghi's boys had been put to the sword, but England had failed to wrap it up, and slowly but surely, the Azzurini began to find their feet.

They pulled one back before the break when England failed to deal with a corner, and the ball bobbed in off Chiellini.

England went into the break leading 2-1, but it was a scoreline that still flattered Italy, despite Palladino and Pazzini both testing Scott Carson.

Stuart Pearce's boys would come to regret that, as Italy turned on the style after the break.

They were the better team by some distance, and when Alberto Aquilani crashed a left footed effort into the net from 35 yards out (with help from Scott Carson), few could deny that they had deserved it.

At 2-2, both teams went for the winner, desperate Italy more so, but despite 4 minutes of time added on, it ended as a draw.

The result, while keeping them both alive, really suits neither, as Serbia took charge of the group with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic, through a goal from young Mallorca starlet Bosko Jankovic.

The Serbs are through as group leaders with 6 points, England on 2, and Italy and Czechs on 1. Serbia are through, and if England beat them on Sunday, they are through. Italy must now beat the Czechs, and hope England fail to win, to have any chance.

http://goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=328331

Highlights from the England Vs Italy match

Match Highlights

Highlights between the Serbs and the Czech Republic

Match Highlights

This post has been edited by Va Va Voom: Jun 15 2007, 09:07 AM

Italians peg back Pearce's starlets

Stuart Pearce's England Under-21s let a two-goal lead slip in a 2-2 European Championship draw with Group B rivals Italy in Arnhem.

David Nugent and Leroy Lita, who had earlier missed an open goal, put Pearce's youngsters ahead before the Azzurri forced their way back into the reckoning under the closed roof at the Gelredome to keep themselves in the competition.

Giorgio Chiellini and Alberto Aquilani scored either side of the break to earn a draw for Pierluigi Casiraghi's side.

Softening the blow for Pearce is knowing a win on Sunday against Serbia, who reached the semi-finals after beating Czech Republic, will see them through to the last four.

He also saw his change in formation produce the open match of an otherwise defensive tournament so far.

England had been unbeaten since 2005 but Pearce saw enough in the goalless draw against Czech Republic to want more of an attacking threat and dispensed with the normal lone-striker formation that saw them through qualifying.

With Lita and Nugent in attack, England started at the Premier League pace Pearce had talked about prior to the game. Lita almost got behind the Italians twice before his embarrassing miss.

Mark Noble, making his first start at Under-21 level, played the ball through in the 17th minute and Lita rounded goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano but poked weakly wide.

The Reading striker thumped an effort against the crossbar a minute later when he latched onto the ball after Nugent challenged Viviano for a cross and the ball fell to him.

It was Nugent who grabbed the first, in the 24th minute, with a classic striker's finish. Leighton Baines provided the cross and the Preston striker steered home with a diving header.

Lita made amends for his earlier misses by tucking away the second. Riccardo Montolivo lost the ball to Nugent in a dangerous position, with Ashley Young then slipping Lita through to finish.

It sparked jubilant celebrations straight into the television cameras after he also missed a penalty against the Czechs.

Knowing defeat would send them home at the group stage, the Azzurri pushed forward, with the attacks led by Giampaolo Pazzini, who scored a hat-trick at Wembley earlier in the year.

The Fiorentina striker forced a save from Scott Carson, who equalled the record of 27 England Under-21 caps with his appearance, with a header from a corner.

Liverpool goalkeeper Carson saw Aquilani's free-kick skim his crossbar, but Italy pulled one back with a fortunate strike from Chiellini.

The Italy skipper did not know much about his finish when a corner ricocheted to him in the 35th minute.

Steven Taylor had seen an early chance saved at point-blank range and he was a constant threat with his height from attacks, missing a chance to restore the two-goal cushion just before the break at the back post.

Italy coach Casiraghi responded by bringing on Giuseppe Rossi and Marco Motta at the break, and Rossi was off target with a his long-range efforts early in the second half.

Carson was tested by a long-range drive by Aquilani, while Taylor got on the end of another teasing cross but could not steer his finish home.

The Italians thought they should have had a penalty when Justin Hoyte got in the way of a shot, while Alessandro Rosina pulled a drive just wide.

England remained a threat on the counter attack and skipper Nigel Reo-Coker forced a save with a powerful drive after Lita held the ball up on the edge of the area.

But Italy were level in the 69th minute when Aquilani drilled in from 25 yards after Rosina had flicked the ball to him.

Rosina dipped an effort just over Carson's bar, while Montolivo tested Carson with a 40-yard drive.

Young then went on a run and saw his effort pushed onto the crossbar and away to safety.

Source: Teamtalk

Lita looking to book semi spot

Leroy Lita is positive England can reach the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals despite blowing a two-goal lead to draw with Italy.

David Nugent and Lita put Stuart Pearce's men in complete control midway through the first half but pre-tournament favourites the Azzurrini hit back to avoid an early exit.

A victory against Serbia in their final group game will guarantee England's progress and Lita said on Sky Sports 1: "It's disappointing not to win the game.

"We gave ourselves a great start, we had a lot of chances.

"We dropped too deep and allowed them back into the game.

"But we're still in the tournament and we've got to go into the last game being positive."

Lita missed two sitters - to add to his penalty woe in the opening game - before making partial amends with England's second goal.

He added: "I wanted to make sure I got on the scoresheet. I'm not one of those players who's going to hide."

Nugent said: "We seemed to back off a little bit any they got back in the game. They're a quality side."

Sunderland manager Roy Keane was watching the game and when asked about speculation linking him with a move to the Premier League new boys, Nugent said: "It's all speculation. He could be coming to watch anybody.

"I've not been in contact. I've been linked with a few clubs. Obviously, I've got to keep on playing well in the tournament and see what happens afterwards."

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce was pleased his side's destiny remains in their own hands after the draw.

"We know our fate now," he said. "If they can show that determination I think we will win (against Serbia), but it will be a tough game again.

"The effort and endeavour from both teams - I thought it was a great spectacle and a credit to the tournament.

"I thought we showed signs of tiredness, but the determination of all of them, they don't want to be beaten.

"We still haven't been beaten and we have to try to win the game and go through to the semi-final. But the ball's in our court."

He added: "I thought it would be a cricket score in the first 20 minutes, we were outstanding.

"For much of the game we had to dig in. Their mentality was that they had to win, and it was ours too."

Pearce hailed the performance of Aston Villa forward Ashley Young, who was again one of the game's most influential figures but who will miss the Serbia game after receiving a second booking of the tournament in the dying moments.

"It will be a massive blow," Pearce admitted. "He has excited me.

He is doing himself no harm in my opinion."

Source: Teamtalk

Yeah me too.

weeiiii,sejak bile ko layan Football Lounge ni

Have anyone heard malaysian under 21 got choosen for Manchester City or something? Way to go malaysian footballer.

Im sorry if off topic. Hehe

Belgium 2
Mirallas 9 , Pocognoli 70

Netherlands 2
Rigters 13 , Drenthe 37

Pocognoli goal
With Belgium trailing 2-1 at half-time and Group A rivals Portugal beating Israel, Jean-François De Sart's side looked to be heading out of the competition. But Pocognoli made sure of their safe passage and a place in the Olympic Games when he drove powerfully beyond Kenneth Vermeer with 20 minutes left. The draw means the Netherlands finish top of Group A on seven points, two ahead of Belgium. Foppe de Haan's team will play their semi-final here on Wednesday while Belgium travel to Arnhem to play Group B winners Serbia.

Bailly save
De Haan made four changes from the side that defeated Portugal, the most surprising being Ryan Donk's move out of central defence to take the holding midfield role in place of Hedwiges Maduro. What had not changed was the confidence running through the team and after only a minute, man of the moment Royston Drenthe had raised the pulse with a shot just wide. The Netherlands were already guaranteed a ticket to the semi-finals but there was no let-up here and their attacking intentions nearly paid off on six minutes when Donk's point-blank effort was blocked by goalkeeper Logan Bailly.

Mirallas opener
Suspensions and injury had forced Belgium coach De Sart's hand and his new-look lineup took time to settle. When they finally got hold of the ball, they quickly found their feet and scored with their first meaningful attack. Tom De Mul crossed for Kevin Mirallas who headed past Vermeer on nine minutes. For the first time in the tournament the Netherlands were behind, but not for long. In front of nearly 26,000 the Jong Oranje responded in the best possible way on 13 minutes, Ryan Babel playing in strike partner Maceo Rigters for a low shot past Bailly.

Drenthe strike
An earlier downpour had left a sodden surface yet it could not dampen enthusiasm for this derby as both teams created chances in an entertaining first half. By kick-off the sun had come out and once again it was shining brightly on the irrepressible Drenthe who curled in a free-kick on 37 minutes to put the Netherlands in front. Bailly got a full palm to it, but it seems nothing can stop the Feyenoord man at the moment. With Portugal leading Israel 2-0 at half-time, Belgium were facing elimination as they came out for the start of the second half.

Salvation
Mirallas flashed an early opportunity over and Faris Haroun came close with a header, yet they lacked urgency and the Netherlands almost went further ahead on 67 minutes when Bailly saved sharply to his right to keep out Daniël de Ridder's attempt. Out of the blue, though, Belgium drew level. Pocognoli pushed forward down the left and Vermeer could only push his rising shot into the goal. Belgium supporters were as surprised as they were ecstatic. Although Otman Bakkal had a deflected strike skim wide late on for the Netherlands, it was the Belgium fans who ended the contest in full voice. Arnhem and Beijing here they come.

Israel 0
Portugal 4
Manuel Fernandes 37 , Ricardo Vaz Té 45 , Miguel Veloso 49 , Nani 50

Mood turns sour
Leading 4-0 through goals from Manuel Fernandes, Ricardo Vaz Té, Miguel Veloso and Nani, everything looked rosy for Portugal until the 70th minute when news filtered through that Belgium had equalised against the Netherlands. With the inspirational Nani departing on a stretcher in the same minute, suddenly the mood turned sour for José Couceiro's side. While Portugal must now wait for tomorrow's Group B deciders to find out if third place will earn them a play-off for a berth at the 2008 Olympic Games, Israel's first U21 finals ended with this third successive defeat.

Flash of quality
Portugal had 70 per cent of possession during the opening quarter-hour yet it was Israel who had the first chance of note on 17 minutes. Idan Srur swung in a free-kick from the right but the unmarked Lior Rafaelov failed to make contact and Paulo Ribeiro saved with his feet. Almost immediately at the other end, we saw the first flash of quality from one of Portugal's highly-rated attackers as João Moutinho skipped past Eliran Danin and centred to Vaz Té but the forward, appearing for the first time in the Netherlands, headed over.

Nani to the fore
That sparked a succession of chances with Nani at the heart of everything. The new Manchester United FC winger had one shot deflected over, then drove another at Tom Al Madon from Hugo Almeida's knock-down. After the besieged goalkeeper had turned behind Manuel Da Costa's low free-kick, Nani was at it again, hitting the top of the net with an overhead kick. A goal seemed inevitable and when it came on 37 minutes, Nani was involved again, Manuel Fernandes playing a one-two with him before driving in a fierce shot in off the underside of the crossbar. Al Madon then kept out a Nani header but on the stroke of half-time, it was 2-0 as Vaz Té headed in João Pereira's pinpoint cross.

No respite
The second half brought no respite for Israel and by the 50th minute, Portugal were out of sight. First Miguel Veloso's free-kick from out on the right evaded everyone, Al Madon included, on its way inside the far post. Sixty seconds later Nani flashed the ball past the goalkeeper from 20 metres. A real pity then that the talented 20-year-old's evening ended prematurely after a heavy tackle from Israel substitute Dani Bondarv. Israel prevented any further damage as Al Madon denied Moutinho and Danin headed off the line from Vaz Té, but Guy Levy's men missed out on the consolation of a first goal in the competition when Paulo Ribeiro saved Rami Duani's late close-range effort. While Portugal wait to see if there will indeed be an Olympic play-off on 21 June, for captain Hugo Almeida his involvement in the Netherlands is over having picked up another booking here.

Match Highlights Between Portugal Vs Israel

http://footballocks.net/index.php/273/port...-21-highlights/

Nani in a state as Portugal bow out

Holland and Belgium's 2-2 draw booked their places in the European Under-21 Championship semi-finals, with Portugal bowing out.

Sebastien Pocognoli's goal on 70 minutes earned Belgium a draw with the hosts and second place in their group, with the draw still enough to secure top spot for Holland after two victories from their first two games.

Kevin Maralas gave Belgium a ninth-minute lead before the Dutch hit back, first through Maceo Rigters (13) and then Royston Drenthe's free-kick, which cruelly slipped through the palms of keeper Logan Bailly.

At Euroborg, Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and Everton, opened the scoring for Portugal against Israel with a searing 37th-minute drive.

Bolton's Ricardo Vaz Te doubled the advantage with a header on the stroke of half-time before two goals in three minutes from Miguel Veloso (49) and Manchester United's new arrival Nani (52) sealed the 4-0 win, but it was not enough to avoid an early exit.

Teamtalk

Holland Vs Belgium Under-21 Highlights

http://footballocks.net/index.php/274/holl...-21-highlights/

Hope Italy will win tonight,and Serbia can beat England,Group B is very unpredictable,i tot Italy and England will reach seni,but Serbia make a good move here

England in semis after fiery clash

England Under-21s reached the semi-finals of the European Championships but their 2-0 victory over Serbia was scarred by racism and violence.

Leroy Lita had headed Stuart Pearce's youngsters ahead early on before UEFA officials were forced into an impromptu anti-racism announcement after Serbia fans abused Nedum Onuoha.

Matt Derbyshire added a second goal 13 minutes from full-time in Nijmegen but there was a Serbia player down injured at the time, sparking a mass brawl which involved most of the players.

Tom Huddlestone was then sent off for dissent in the final minute.

UEFA will wait until the match delegate hands in his report, by which time England will be preparing for next week's semi-final.

They are now within sight of winning England's first youth trophy since Sol Campbell and Gary Neville were among the under-18s to win back in 1993.

Standing in their way of the final are holders and hosts Holland, who they defeated in a friendly last November in Alkmaar. That win is part of an unbeaten stretch since 2005 that now stands at 12 games.

Pearce featured in two semi-finals as a player and now has his first as a coach, and he appears to have forced himself into contention if the role goes full-time after the tournament.

He has dealt with withdrawals and players not answering their phone - this fractious clash adds to a colourful and brief spell so far.

His line-up suggested he was throwing caution to the wind to secure the victory which guaranteed a last-four place, with his only change being Kieran Richardson coming in for suspended Ashley Young.

The 4-4-2 formation which served them well against Italy was used again, this time against a Serbia team with one eye on their semi-final against Belgium, although their players appeared to have something to prove.

Only two players - Stefan Babovic and Zoran Tosic - were kept from the team that defeated Czech Republic. Bosko Jankovic, the highly-rated Real Mallorca midfielder, was rested.

Pearce had banked on Italy winning, meaning they had to take three points themselves, with Lita's early strike calming initial nerves.

The Reading striker won a free-kick after five minutes when he was man-handled by Nikola Petkovic. Steven Taylor nodded James Milner's set-piece across the face of the goal and Lita swooped to head home.

It was his fifth goal in eight under-21 games and sparked his usual wild celebrations, marking a fine turnaround after missing a penalty and an open goal earlier in the tournament.

Despite Serbia claiming a penalty when Taylor challenged Zoran Tosic, England looked for a second and skipper Nigel Reo-Coker flicked over the bar from another free-kick.

Serbia tried long-range efforts and Scott Carson, setting a new record of 28 for England Under-21 caps, was kept alert as Serbia plotted another scalp to add to Italy.

Tosic was brought down by Reo-Coker but received a yellow card himself for telling the referee England's skipper should be cautioned. A booking would have ruled the West Ham midfielder out of the semi-finals.

UEFA officials were then forced to give their anti-racism announcement over the public address system after chants were heard.

Onuoha, helped by team-mates who rallied around him at the break, maintained his concentration and completed a tidy performance despite the ugly scenes.

He and his fellow defenders were forced to work, though.

Petkovic hit a free-kick straight at Carson, while Lita survived another penalty claim when Gojko Kacar was challenged.

Carson then saved from a Predrag Pavlovic drive and punched from under his crossbar from a corner by Nikola Drincic. Kacar then headed over from close range after meeting a corner.

After the break, Milner's slip almost let Serbia in but Carson saved with his feet when Djordje Ivelja raced through. He also had to save from Pavlovic's volley.

Despite the threat of an equaliser, England remained with two strikers, looking for a goal on the counter attack.

Lita's overhead kick from Milner's cross almost provided a second goal but goalkeeper Aleksandar Kesic palmed away for a corner.

Lita was taken off for the last 20 minutes, with Derbyshire coming on and adding the second after Richardson lobbed the ball through to him, but the England celebrations sparked the mass brawl.

Huddlestone was brought on but received his marching orders, and there was still time for Leighton Baines to clear off the line in stoppage-time.

Teamtalk

Pearce praises Onuoha restraint

Manager Stuart Pearce praised the restraint of Nedum Onuoha after racism overshadowed England's victory over Serbia Under-21s.

UEFA were forced to make an impromptu anti-racism announcment after Onuoha was racially abused by Serbia fans in the first half, then Justin Hoyte was later abused in the tunnel.

England's players rallied around Manchester City defender Onuoha at half-time, but more trouble was ignited on the pitch when Matt Derbyshire completed the 2-0 victory by scoring while a Serbia player was injured.

"He's an outstanding young man, not just as a footballer," said Pearce, who coached Onuoha at City.

"I've got that first hand knowledge of him and he comes from a great family. He's a credit to the English nation."

"He's such a strong character, that's the case with most of our players. I told them that is what is going to happen at international level.

"It's difficult to keep restaint under provocation. You've got to learn that in football."

England needed a win to reach the last four, and Leroy Lita headed them into a fifth-minute lead before the trouble started.

Serbia, fielding a second string as they were already in the semi-finals, created chances but Derbyshire completed victory with 13 minutes remaining, sparking a mass brawl as Filip Rydel was down with an ankle injury.

Pearce continued: "Matt's probably one of the most genuine people I've met, he probably would have kicked the ball out if he saw him." There was still time for Tom Huddestone to receive a red card for dissent almost immediately after coming on as a substitute.

"I said you must learn by that. It's wrong what he has done," said Pearce.

He added: "We're delighted to be in the semi-final. The positives are we are still undefeated."

UEFA will wait for their delegate to produce a match report before action is considered.

Pearce added: "One individual manager sat here won't make a difference.

"It's the powers that be. They were at the game, they saw what went on and will take action if needs be."

Serbian coach Miroslav Djukic was upset at England players carrying on as his player waited for treatment, adding: "It was a normal reaction, it was unfair from England players, who are meant to be gentlemen. Tonight they were not gentlemen.

"Everything started form the second goal when they did not have respect for a player who was on the floor."

He added: "Racism is definitely a bad thing, I did not see or hear what was happening as I was concentrating on the game.

"In my career I played against players form all nations and these things are bad but I also have never seen a player who is hurt and carry on to score a goal."

James Milner, named man of the match, added: "It was a job well done. We rallied and put in a good performance.

"Their player took the goal-kick after he had gone down. I don't know if it was cramp. I don't think the lads knew anything."

Teamtalk

italy and portugal out

I'm very please for 'psycho' and his young bunch of lads. His enthusiasm for the game seems to have rubbed off on his players. I've always enjoyed watching City play because I think he's an adventurous manager. He just lacked players with the cutting edge at the club. The fact that England has reached the semi finals of the tournament goes to show that they do have a bright future. Some of England's play has been exquisite unlike their more senior counterparts. Perhaps some of them are ready for the big boys?

Semi Final schedule
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Holland vs England
Serbia vs Belgium