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Clinical Netherlands get better of Germany

Germany 0-2 Netherlands
Karim Rekik and Kyle Ebecilio struck in the second half to give the Netherlands a deserved win against their highly-rated Group B opponents.

Karim Rekik celebrates the opening goal in Smederevo
Karim Rekik celebrates the opening goal in Smederevo ©Sportsfile

Karim Rekik and Kyle Ebecilio scored second-half goals to give the Netherlands victory in their UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B opener.

In the 2009 final, and indeed the group stage, Germany had beaten their neighbours. It was a different story today, however, not least thanks to a fine performance from Rekik and, in particular, his central defensive partner Terence Kongolo. Germany, who won every qualifier, were perhaps missing top scorer Samed Yesil, suspended along with defender Koray Günter.

The opening was cagy, though with some promising runs down the Netherlands left from recent AFC Ajax signing Nick de Bondt, yet it was Dutch goalkeeper Boy de Jong who made the first save, tipping over a venomous Okan Aydin strike.

With a strong wind at their backs Germany began to have the better of things, winger Aydin beating several defenders with a dribble down the middle but shooting over. Cimo Röcker came forward to make De Jong work and De Bondt tested Germany goalkeeper Odisseas Vlachodimos from distance, but neither central defence gave anything away before the break.

Perhaps it was appropriate then that a centre-back broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second half. Tonny Trindade de Vilhena, having combined well with De Bondt to win a corner, sent in a deep set piece which was headed in at the far post by Rekik.

Germany coach Steffen Freund introduced Fabian Schnellhardt and Erich Berko to try and change the game and the first of those was not far away with a low shot. However, the Netherlands broke and Anass Achabar chipped over following a fine move.

Kongolo and Rekik continued to keep things tight and with four minutes left Achahbar slipped through Ebecilio, who missed the whole of the elite round, to turn in the clincher. The Netherlands will be through with a Friday win against Romania in Belgrade while Germany return here to play the Czech Republic.