The two nations of England and Holland have quite a connection. Dutch is the most closely related MAJOR language to English (though the little language of Frisian, also spoken in Holland, is the most closely-related to English); Holland's Queen Beatrix and England's Queen Elizabeth II are fifth cousins; the distance from London to Amsterdam is only 222 miles; and both nations have national football teams who have forgotten how to lose.
Holland, who are ranked 3rd in the world, have a 100% record in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and are the only European team to have definitely qualified for next year's World Cup. England, ranked 7th in the world, also have a 100% record in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, and only need to draw at Wembley against Croatia next month to seal qualification. The only other team in Europe with a 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers are European Champions Spain.
Last night's match in Amsterdam between the two teams was only a friendly, a curtain-raiser to the new season.
England haven't beaten Holland in 13 years, when England thrashed the Dutch 4-1 in the Group Stage of Euro96. England also haven't beaten Holland in Amsterdam since 1969.
A minute's silence was observed by both teams and the fans before the match in honour of the late Sir Bobby Robson, manager of England in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.
In the first half, two silly mistakes by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry gifted two goals to the Dutch.
But, apart from those schoolboy errors, England weren't playing too badly, and looked more dangerous going forward than the Dutch.
England manager Fabio Capello looks more like a Mafia Don so, at half-time, he would have been so angry with the team many of the players must've been worried they would wake up in the morning with horses' heads on their pillows.
But Capello made the necessary changes, bringing on Jermaine Defoe up front. Capello has said he is a fan of the striker, which doesn't bode well for Owen's chances of getting back into the England team.
England were dominant in the second half, leaving everyone wondering that the Dutch had maybe not even left the changing room.
And Defoe scored the two goals that completed an amazing England fightback, and England were unlucky not to get a winner in the final minutes.
Capello unfazed by England errors
By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport
VS
Holland 2-2 England
Kuyt 10........................Defoe 49, 77
Van der Vaart 38
(At the Amsterdam Arena. Attendance: 50,000)
Holland: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Braafheid, De Jong, Schaars (Mendes Da Silva 82), Van der Vaart (Sneijder 46), Robben (Afellay 55), van Persie (Babel 46), Kuyt (Huntelaar 78 ).
Subs Not Used: Vorm, Marcellis, Van Der Wiel, De Zeeuw.
England: Green, Johnson, Ashley Cole (Bridge 84), Ferdinand, Terry, Barry (Carrick 46), Beckham (Wright-Phillips 46), Lampard, Young (Milner 68 ), Heskey (Defoe 46), Rooney (Carlton Cole 59).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Upson, Lescott, Walcott, Hart.
Mama mia: England manager Fabio Capello shows his disgust after his team finds itself 2-0 down
Picture: PA
Jermain Defoe struck twice as England came from two goals down at the interval against the Netherlands to earn a creditable draw in Amsterdam.
Dirk Kuyt and Rafael Van der Vaart punished errors by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry to give the Dutch control.
But Defoe came off the bench to race clear and pull a goal back after 49 minutes to give England hope.
And he steered in a cross from fellow substitute James Milner with 13 minutes left as England finished strongly.
England coach Fabio Capello will have mixed feelings about the performance of his side - and will demand the basic errors that cost two goals be eradicated as the build up continues towards what he hopes will be a serious World Cup challenge in South Africa next summer.
Heads down: Frank Lampard, John Terry, Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole leave the pitch at half- time...
Picture: PA
...as Wayne Rooney berates Barry after his costly lapse in concentration
Picture: REUTERS
But he will be delighted by the spirit shown as England fought their way back into contention with Defoe as the spearhead, helped by impressive cameos from two other substitutes in Carlton Cole and Milner.
England's hopes of a morale-boosting result were undermined by a dreadful error from Ferdinand that gifted the Dutch an early goal.
Ferdinand's attempted backpass was desperately casual and fell well short of Robert Green, allowing Kuyt to round the keeper before finding the roof of the net via the outstretched leg of the despairing John Terry.
England almost hit back after 17 minutes when Glen Johnson's clever pass released Frank Lampard inside the area, but his powerful shot was blocked by the legs of Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
David Beckham was prominent in the early exchanges, and he set up Barry for a long-range shot that flew just over the top.
Green was then forced to save with his legs after Van der Vaart's free-kick found Kuyt at the far post, before another calamitous moment of carelessness allowed the Dutch to double their advantage.
This time Barry was the culprit with a pass straight to the feet of Arjen Robben.
Green did well to block his shot, but Van der Vaart was on hand to steer home the rebound.
Capello made three changes at the interval, sending on Defoe, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Carrick for Emile Heskey, Beckham and Barry.
And they reaped an instant reward inside four minutes of the restart when Defoe raced clear on to Lampard's pass and beat Stekelenburg off the inside of an upright.
Defoe was lively and got on the end of a cross from Milner, introduced for his England debut as a substitute after 67 minutes, only to head just over.
And Cole, on for Wayne Rooney, shot inches wide seconds later as England pressed for an equaliser in impressive fashion.
To the rescue: Capello introduces Jermain Defoe in place of Heskey after the restart. The Spurs striker dutifully scores
Picture: PA
In the bag: a clever cross delivered from the left by fellow substitute James Milner results in an equaliser from Defoe...
Picture: REUTERS
...much to the delight of his relieved team-mates
Picture: PA
England were in the ascendancy, and it was no surprise when they drew level with 13 minutes left when Milner outstripped John Heitinga on the left flank and provided a perfect cross for Defoe to pounce again inside the six-yard box.
It set the stage for a powerful finish by Capello's side, as the Dutch were forced on to the back foot in the closing stages as England pushed for an unlikely victory.
Canal plus: fans gather in Amsterdam as England face Holland in a friendly clash at the Amsterdam ArenA
Picture: PA
Tribute: the England and Holland players observe a minute's silence in honour of the late Sir Bobby Robson
Picture: PA
Yanks a lot: LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham wins his 113th cap for England
Picture: PA
Sloppy: back-pass from Rio Ferdinand allows Dirk Kuyt to open the scoring after 10 minutes
Picture: PA
The Punisher: Rafael van der Vaart then takes advantage of a loose pass from Gareth Barry to double the Dutch lead
Picture: PA
Mama mia: England manager Fabio Capello shows his disgust
Picture: PA
news.bbc.co.uk/sport
telegraph.co.uk
Holland, who are ranked 3rd in the world, have a 100% record in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers and are the only European team to have definitely qualified for next year's World Cup. England, ranked 7th in the world, also have a 100% record in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, and only need to draw at Wembley against Croatia next month to seal qualification. The only other team in Europe with a 100% record in the World Cup qualifiers are European Champions Spain.
Last night's match in Amsterdam between the two teams was only a friendly, a curtain-raiser to the new season.
England haven't beaten Holland in 13 years, when England thrashed the Dutch 4-1 in the Group Stage of Euro96. England also haven't beaten Holland in Amsterdam since 1969.
A minute's silence was observed by both teams and the fans before the match in honour of the late Sir Bobby Robson, manager of England in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.
In the first half, two silly mistakes by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry gifted two goals to the Dutch.
But, apart from those schoolboy errors, England weren't playing too badly, and looked more dangerous going forward than the Dutch.
England manager Fabio Capello looks more like a Mafia Don so, at half-time, he would have been so angry with the team many of the players must've been worried they would wake up in the morning with horses' heads on their pillows.
But Capello made the necessary changes, bringing on Jermaine Defoe up front. Capello has said he is a fan of the striker, which doesn't bode well for Owen's chances of getting back into the England team.
England were dominant in the second half, leaving everyone wondering that the Dutch had maybe not even left the changing room.
And Defoe scored the two goals that completed an amazing England fightback, and England were unlucky not to get a winner in the final minutes.
Capello unfazed by England errors
By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport
Holland 2-2 England
Kuyt 10........................Defoe 49, 77
Van der Vaart 38
(At the Amsterdam Arena. Attendance: 50,000)
Holland: Stekelenburg, Heitinga, Ooijer, Mathijsen, Braafheid, De Jong, Schaars (Mendes Da Silva 82), Van der Vaart (Sneijder 46), Robben (Afellay 55), van Persie (Babel 46), Kuyt (Huntelaar 78 ).
Subs Not Used: Vorm, Marcellis, Van Der Wiel, De Zeeuw.
England: Green, Johnson, Ashley Cole (Bridge 84), Ferdinand, Terry, Barry (Carrick 46), Beckham (Wright-Phillips 46), Lampard, Young (Milner 68 ), Heskey (Defoe 46), Rooney (Carlton Cole 59).
Subs Not Used: Robinson, Upson, Lescott, Walcott, Hart.
Mama mia: England manager Fabio Capello shows his disgust after his team finds itself 2-0 down
Picture: PA
Jermain Defoe struck twice as England came from two goals down at the interval against the Netherlands to earn a creditable draw in Amsterdam.
Dirk Kuyt and Rafael Van der Vaart punished errors by Rio Ferdinand and Gareth Barry to give the Dutch control.
But Defoe came off the bench to race clear and pull a goal back after 49 minutes to give England hope.
And he steered in a cross from fellow substitute James Milner with 13 minutes left as England finished strongly.
England coach Fabio Capello will have mixed feelings about the performance of his side - and will demand the basic errors that cost two goals be eradicated as the build up continues towards what he hopes will be a serious World Cup challenge in South Africa next summer.
Heads down: Frank Lampard, John Terry, Emile Heskey and Ashley Cole leave the pitch at half- time...
Picture: PA
Picture: REUTERS
But he will be delighted by the spirit shown as England fought their way back into contention with Defoe as the spearhead, helped by impressive cameos from two other substitutes in Carlton Cole and Milner.
England's hopes of a morale-boosting result were undermined by a dreadful error from Ferdinand that gifted the Dutch an early goal.
Ferdinand's attempted backpass was desperately casual and fell well short of Robert Green, allowing Kuyt to round the keeper before finding the roof of the net via the outstretched leg of the despairing John Terry.
England almost hit back after 17 minutes when Glen Johnson's clever pass released Frank Lampard inside the area, but his powerful shot was blocked by the legs of Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg.
David Beckham was prominent in the early exchanges, and he set up Barry for a long-range shot that flew just over the top.
Green was then forced to save with his legs after Van der Vaart's free-kick found Kuyt at the far post, before another calamitous moment of carelessness allowed the Dutch to double their advantage.
This time Barry was the culprit with a pass straight to the feet of Arjen Robben.
Green did well to block his shot, but Van der Vaart was on hand to steer home the rebound.
Capello made three changes at the interval, sending on Defoe, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Michael Carrick for Emile Heskey, Beckham and Barry.
And they reaped an instant reward inside four minutes of the restart when Defoe raced clear on to Lampard's pass and beat Stekelenburg off the inside of an upright.
Defoe was lively and got on the end of a cross from Milner, introduced for his England debut as a substitute after 67 minutes, only to head just over.
And Cole, on for Wayne Rooney, shot inches wide seconds later as England pressed for an equaliser in impressive fashion.
To the rescue: Capello introduces Jermain Defoe in place of Heskey after the restart. The Spurs striker dutifully scores
Picture: PA
In the bag: a clever cross delivered from the left by fellow substitute James Milner results in an equaliser from Defoe...
Picture: REUTERS
...much to the delight of his relieved team-mates
Picture: PA
England were in the ascendancy, and it was no surprise when they drew level with 13 minutes left when Milner outstripped John Heitinga on the left flank and provided a perfect cross for Defoe to pounce again inside the six-yard box.
It set the stage for a powerful finish by Capello's side, as the Dutch were forced on to the back foot in the closing stages as England pushed for an unlikely victory.
Canal plus: fans gather in Amsterdam as England face Holland in a friendly clash at the Amsterdam ArenA
Picture: PA
Tribute: the England and Holland players observe a minute's silence in honour of the late Sir Bobby Robson
Picture: PA
Yanks a lot: LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham wins his 113th cap for England
Picture: PA
Sloppy: back-pass from Rio Ferdinand allows Dirk Kuyt to open the scoring after 10 minutes
Picture: PA
Picture: PA
Mama mia: England manager Fabio Capello shows his disgust
Picture: PA
news.bbc.co.uk/sport
telegraph.co.uk
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