Van Nistelrooy's late strike earns Netherlands draw
PORTO, June 16: Striker Ruud van Nistelrooy scored late to earn the Netherlands a 1-1 draw with Germany who dominated their much anticipated Euro 2004 opener on Tuesday.
The Germans deservedly led through Torsten Fring's 30th-minute free kick and the Dutch rarely threatened an equaliser before Van Nistelrooy turned sharply to hook in a right-wing cross from close range.
The Dutch created the first chance after only two minutes when skipper Philip Cocu lobbed the German defence but the ball was just beyond the reach of Van Nistelrooy who failed to connect.
Apart from that the Dutch had very few chances of note, largely because German coach Rudi Voeller won the tactical battle against his Dutch rival Dick Advocaat. The Netherlands played with Van Nistelrooy as a lone striker as expected, but he was isolated time and again and surrounded at times by up to five German defenders.
The tactic failed because of ineffective midfield displays from Edgar Davids and Boudewijn Zenden who were both replaced at halftime. They were largely played out of the match by robust tackling and defending by the German defenders, especially the outstanding Christian Woerns.
Both teams came into the match in a nervous state of mind following poor build-ups to the finals with the Germans under pressure after a recent 5-1 defeat by Romania and a 2-0 home loss to Hungary this month.
The Dutch, beaten 1-0 by Belgium and Ireland in their build-up, were also rattled by the usual personality clashes in their camp. It showed as they rarely played as a working unit, and Germany's championship pedigree became more to the fore as the game went on.
The game was played in a passionate atmosphere at the Dragao Stadium with the thousands of orange-clad Dutch fans becoming more subdued as their team was pushed back - until their dramatic late equaliser. Michael Ballack, substitute Bastian Schweinsteiger and striker Kevin Kuranyi all tested Van der Sar as the Dutch left space at the back pressing forward for an equaliser.
It finally came and German goalkeeper and captain Oliver Kahn, celebrating his 35th birthday, had a rather more subdued celebration than seemed likely. Still they had good reason to be happy as Germany emphatically proclaimed their presence in this tournament. -Reuters
