Preview: Netherlands vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Soccer News 2024/09/06 02:53
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Having made their way through the 'weaker' half of the draw for this summer's Euro 2024 finals - finishing third in Group D - the Netherlands crushed Romania in the last 16, then saw off Turkey to set up a semi-final with England.
However, they left Germany - where they had been crowned European champions 36 years earlier - with a sour taste in their mouths, as a late Ollie Watkins goal after the Three Lions' controversial equaliser sent them crashing out.
The Oranje also faced England the last time they came close to silverware, winning 3-1 after extra time in the inaugural Nations League semi-final in 2019 - with current boss Ronald Koeman in the dugout on that occasion.
However, an unlucky Netherlands side finished runners-up, losing 1-0 to Portugal in the decider, and they finished fourth when they hosted the finals last time around.
To get there, they had topped a relatively friendly group that included Belgium, Poland and Wales, but this season a top-two finish will be enough to secure a place in the Nations League's new quarter-final stage.
Virgil van Dijk's decision to stay on as captain means that Koeman will have the same man at the helm for this month's games against Bosnia and old rivals Germany, the latter of which takes place next Tuesday.
Bosnia-Herzegovina last met this week's hosts in the pandemic-delayed second edition of the Nations League, suffering a 3-1 defeat on the road before holding on for a goalless draw at home at the end of 2020.
They are reunited with the Oranje this season after beating Finland, Montenegro and Romania to finish top of League B last time out to celebrate promotion to Europe's top flight.
However, the Dragons failed to build on that momentum in Euro 2024 qualifying, finishing fifth in a six-team section, with two of their three wins coming against minnows Liechtenstein.
Although their performance in the Nations League earned Bosnia a place in the play-offs, they lost 2-1 to Ukraine in the semi-finals, leading to the departure of head coach Savo Milosevic.
Sergej Barbarez has since taken over and was on the sidelines for friendly defeats to Italy and England in June, and will lead his side into Saturday's clash with a similarly high-profile opponent.
With third place in Group 3 meaning a relegation play-off and fourth automatic relegation, Barbarez will be hoping to pick up a point in Eindhoven before heading to Hungary next week.
Netherlands possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Dumfries, De Ligt, Van Dijk, Ake; Schouten, Gravenberch; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Brobbey
Bosnia-Herzegovina possible starting lineup:
Piric; Radeljic, Ahmedhodzic, Katic, Bicakcic, Kolasinac; Gigovic, Krunic, Tahirovic, Hajradinovic; Dzeko
Prediction:Netherlands 3-0 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Netherlands VS Bosnia-Herzegovina stream and TV listing
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