Dutch hopes of European football disappear as Turkey win 3-0

A 3-0 away defeat by Turkey put the Netherlands’ participation in next year’s European football championships in serious doubt on Sunday evening.

The loss means Turkey now overtakes Oranje in Group A, with just two matches to go. The Netherlands had been third in the group and hoped to qualify as one of the best third placed teams.

Commentators were again scathing about the Dutch performance, which, they say, was riddled with mistakes from defence, midfield and attack.

The AD’s headline summed up the situation: ‘We no longer count.’

The paper points out that only if Turkey lose the next two matches is Oranje in with a chance. ‘But perhaps a team that loses four matches in the qualification rounds does not deserve to go anyway,’ the paper said.

The Telegraaf said it would take a ‘miracle’ for Oranje, who came third in the 2014 World Cup, to qualify. ‘Trust in Blind’s brigade has sunk to zero,’ it said. ‘It is becoming increasingly clear that the departure of Guus Hiddink and arrival of Blind is more of the same.’

The last time the Dutch team failed to qualify for a European championship was in 1984, when the competition was also held in France.

The Netherlands, with 10 points from eight matches, still have to play Kazachstan away and group leaders Czech Republic at home. Turkey have to meet  the Czech Republic and Iceland.

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