Netherlands coach Marco van Basten admitted to mixed feelings after watching his team come back from three goals down to complete a historic 4-3 victory against Austria in Vienna on Wednesday night.
Individual mistakes
Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored the winner with his second of the night four minutes from time, with Johnny Heitinga and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also on the scoresheet as the Dutch turned a three-goal deficit into victory for the first time in their history. "I saw some good things and some less good things," said Van Basten. "I'm glad we at least got the win, but the beginning was not good and that's an understatement. The three goals we conceded were very poor and came down to individual mistakes. Joris Mathijsen and Henk Timmer simply didn't do what we asked of them."
Tactical changes
Unsurprisingly, former international striker Van Basten was far more satisfied with the second half, in which his charges hit three unanswered goals: "After [Wilfred] Bouma replaced Mathijsen, there was an improvement. He was more resolute, sharper and faster. It was also better when Wesley Sneijder moved into Demy de Zeeuw's position and [Clarence] Seedorf moved into Sneijder's. We dictated the game in the second half and had a little luck at the end as well. We knew there were still 45 minutes left, and that's what I told them. We played a lot faster too, which was pleasing."
Mental resilience
With UEFA EURO 2008™ rapidly approaching, Van Basten will have been delighted by his team's mental resilience. "I've never been involved in such a crazy game with the Oranje," he added, scratching his head to come up with a comparable achievement. "The craziest I can remember was a [1984 UEFA European Championship qualifier] I played in against Ireland in Dublin, when we came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2."
Breadth of Croatian talent pleases Bilić
Slaven Bilić was satisfied with Croatia's 1-1 draw in Scotland although forward Ivan Klasnić felt his side "didn't make the most of our chances" at Hampden Park.
Klasnić criticism
In Croatia's first game since Eduardo da Silva was ruled out for UEFA EURO 2008™ with a broken leg, Klasnić returned to international action for the first time in almost 18 months following two kidney transplant operations. The Werder Bremen man was paired with Igor Budan up front, and concluded: "We dominated but in the end we didn't make the most of our chances. I can't be completely happy with this result. We played better than Scotland, but after we scored the first goal, we slowed down a little bit."
'A competitive match'
Croatia took an early lead through Niko Kranjčar, but Scotland were on level terms by half-time thanks to a Kenny Miller goal. The UEFA EURO 2008™ contenders showed plenty of composure on the ball, and produced some dangerous moves but were unable to re-establish their lead, though Bilić insists that had nothing to do with the lack of Eduardo. Having scored ten of Croatia's 28 goals in qualifying, many feared that his absence would be a severe brake on the national team's ambition, yet the coach was impressed with the depth of talent in Glasgow. "The players who came on as substitutes brought a lot of positives to our play. Both forwards [Klasnić and Budan], Jerko Leko and Ognjen Vukojević played well. It's nice to see we have strength in depth. On the bench we have players who can maintain and raise our tempo, and that's a great thing to know."
Burley glad
In his first game as Scotland manager, George Burley had to do without talismanic captain Barry Ferguson, but was happy enough with the outcome, saying: It was a good performance against a top-quality side. As a unit, we worked hard and it was very much a team performance. It was a competitive friendly and the boys all gave it 100 per cent. We saw the spirit and togetherness of the side and we need to keep that going and fine tune it."
Klasnić criticism
In Croatia's first game since Eduardo da Silva was ruled out for UEFA EURO 2008™ with a broken leg, Klasnić returned to international action for the first time in almost 18 months following two kidney transplant operations. The Werder Bremen man was paired with Igor Budan up front, and concluded: "We dominated but in the end we didn't make the most of our chances. I can't be completely happy with this result. We played better than Scotland, but after we scored the first goal, we slowed down a little bit."
'A competitive match'
Croatia took an early lead through Niko Kranjčar, but Scotland were on level terms by half-time thanks to a Kenny Miller goal. The UEFA EURO 2008™ contenders showed plenty of composure on the ball, and produced some dangerous moves but were unable to re-establish their lead, though Bilić insists that had nothing to do with the lack of Eduardo. Having scored ten of Croatia's 28 goals in qualifying, many feared that his absence would be a severe brake on the national team's ambition, yet the coach was impressed with the depth of talent in Glasgow. "The players who came on as substitutes brought a lot of positives to our play. Both forwards [Klasnić and Budan], Jerko Leko and Ognjen Vukojević played well. It's nice to see we have strength in depth. On the bench we have players who can maintain and raise our tempo, and that's a great thing to know."
Burley glad
In his first game as Scotland manager, George Burley had to do without talismanic captain Barry Ferguson, but was happy enough with the outcome, saying: It was a good performance against a top-quality side. As a unit, we worked hard and it was very much a team performance. It was a competitive friendly and the boys all gave it 100 per cent. We saw the spirit and togetherness of the side and we need to keep that going and fine tune it."
Cannavaro upbeat despite Spain defeat
On familiar turf in Spain, Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro was left to reflect on a performance that showed promise ahead of UEFA EURO 2008™, even if they did lose to a "beautiful, unstoppable shot".
Stunning goal
With a close-fought game seemingly meandering to a draw in Elche last night, David Villa finally ended Italy's resolve. With 12 minutes remaining, the Spain substitute unleashed a sumptuous volley, giving goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon no chance as it fizzed into the top corner. "Villa's goal was very beautiful, an unstoppable shot," said Real Madrid CF centre-back Cannavaro, his thoughts echoed by his coach Roberto Donadoni who added that "when you see a goal like Villa's you just have to stand up and clap your hands".
Unique style
Italy had a first-half effort from Luca Toni scrubbed out due to a foul by Cannavaro, and the man now in his second season in Italy believes he and his team-mates can draw a lot of positives from the game. "We proved we are a good team even if we lost," said the Azzurri captain. "We have our own style. Perhaps we don't always retain possession like Spain but we try to go deep and we caused a lot of problems with our tactics here."
Harsh defeat
Italy's next outing will be against Belgium in Florence on 30 May, ten days before they open their UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign against the Netherlands. Donadoni believes his charges are on track to add the European crown to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. "We had our chances [against Spain] to score but unfortunately we didn't capitalise," said the 44-year-old. "Spain also created a few opportunities but I don't think our defeat was merited. I'm not worried because we played well."
Impressive run
Spain counterpart Luis Aragonés will have few worries either as the Selección extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. It also made it five games without conceding, though they were perhaps more impressed at beating Italy's back line. "Italy are an impressive team with the best defence in the world," said Aragonés, who gave a debut to Liverpool FC defender Álvaro Arbeloa. "We were up against a great team, physically stronger than us, and the only way we could win was by dominating possession. We did, and that's where Spain were commendable."
Stunning goal
With a close-fought game seemingly meandering to a draw in Elche last night, David Villa finally ended Italy's resolve. With 12 minutes remaining, the Spain substitute unleashed a sumptuous volley, giving goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon no chance as it fizzed into the top corner. "Villa's goal was very beautiful, an unstoppable shot," said Real Madrid CF centre-back Cannavaro, his thoughts echoed by his coach Roberto Donadoni who added that "when you see a goal like Villa's you just have to stand up and clap your hands".
Unique style
Italy had a first-half effort from Luca Toni scrubbed out due to a foul by Cannavaro, and the man now in his second season in Italy believes he and his team-mates can draw a lot of positives from the game. "We proved we are a good team even if we lost," said the Azzurri captain. "We have our own style. Perhaps we don't always retain possession like Spain but we try to go deep and we caused a lot of problems with our tactics here."
Harsh defeat
Italy's next outing will be against Belgium in Florence on 30 May, ten days before they open their UEFA EURO 2008™ campaign against the Netherlands. Donadoni believes his charges are on track to add the European crown to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. "We had our chances [against Spain] to score but unfortunately we didn't capitalise," said the 44-year-old. "Spain also created a few opportunities but I don't think our defeat was merited. I'm not worried because we played well."
Impressive run
Spain counterpart Luis Aragonés will have few worries either as the Selección extended their unbeaten run to 14 matches at the Manuel Martínez Valero Stadium. It also made it five games without conceding, though they were perhaps more impressed at beating Italy's back line. "Italy are an impressive team with the best defence in the world," said Aragonés, who gave a debut to Liverpool FC defender Álvaro Arbeloa. "We were up against a great team, physically stronger than us, and the only way we could win was by dominating possession. We did, and that's where Spain were commendable."
Co-hosts burned by friendly fire
Switzerland tried to pick out any positives going from their heavy 4-0 defeat by Germany, while Austria coach Josef Hickersberger argued that "life goes on" following his team's stunning 4-3 loss to the Netherlands.
'We helped them'
The two UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts had an off-day in defence, with Austria conspiring to let a three-goal lead slip in Vienna and the Swiss capitulating in Basel. "Of course, we thought this would turn out differently," said Switzerland coach Jakob Kühn in the wake of his side's fourth successive reverse. "We were inferior in almost every department. We looked OK after a weak start, but individual and unforced mistakes made us look amateurish. Germany were much stronger physically, but we helped them to win."
'Harsh result'
With Alexander Frei back from injury and paired with Eren Derdiyok up front, Switzerland were hoping to improve on their run of one goal from three games, but while Frei carved out a couple of chances it was failings in defence which undermined the home side. "It was a very harsh result," insisted Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. "We had a good first half but lost two balls stupidly in the run-up to the second and third German goals. After that, we were done for."
Austrian collapse
In Austria's case, defensive frailties looked to have been resolved of late, with fans far more concerned about their misfiring strike department. That was certainly the problem during February's 3-0 loss to Germany, but the issue has been clouded again by Wednesday's performance. Indeed, Hickersberger's charges managed to register three strikes in the first half, only to then let the Dutch hit four. "Of course, the disappointment is huge but life goes on," said the coach. "We have to learn from the best and from our mistakes. We have now learned not to defend too deep when we are ahead."
Staying power
In the plus column, work on set-pieces paid off with Sebastian Prödl converting twice from near-identical corners. "Things don't always work out as perfectly as they did for my two goals, but of course we practiced that move in training," explained the defender. His captain Andreas Ivanschitz lamented the team's inability to maintain their great start, meanwhile: "Just a few sensational minutes are not good enough against world-class opposition." That was an opinion echoed by his coach: "Unfortunately, we cannot play good football for the full 90 minutes yet."
'We helped them'
The two UEFA EURO 2008™ co-hosts had an off-day in defence, with Austria conspiring to let a three-goal lead slip in Vienna and the Swiss capitulating in Basel. "Of course, we thought this would turn out differently," said Switzerland coach Jakob Kühn in the wake of his side's fourth successive reverse. "We were inferior in almost every department. We looked OK after a weak start, but individual and unforced mistakes made us look amateurish. Germany were much stronger physically, but we helped them to win."
'Harsh result'
With Alexander Frei back from injury and paired with Eren Derdiyok up front, Switzerland were hoping to improve on their run of one goal from three games, but while Frei carved out a couple of chances it was failings in defence which undermined the home side. "It was a very harsh result," insisted Bayer 04 Leverkusen midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta. "We had a good first half but lost two balls stupidly in the run-up to the second and third German goals. After that, we were done for."
Austrian collapse
In Austria's case, defensive frailties looked to have been resolved of late, with fans far more concerned about their misfiring strike department. That was certainly the problem during February's 3-0 loss to Germany, but the issue has been clouded again by Wednesday's performance. Indeed, Hickersberger's charges managed to register three strikes in the first half, only to then let the Dutch hit four. "Of course, the disappointment is huge but life goes on," said the coach. "We have to learn from the best and from our mistakes. We have now learned not to defend too deep when we are ahead."
Staying power
In the plus column, work on set-pieces paid off with Sebastian Prödl converting twice from near-identical corners. "Things don't always work out as perfectly as they did for my two goals, but of course we practiced that move in training," explained the defender. His captain Andreas Ivanschitz lamented the team's inability to maintain their great start, meanwhile: "Just a few sensational minutes are not good enough against world-class opposition." That was an opinion echoed by his coach: "Unfortunately, we cannot play good football for the full 90 minutes yet."
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