DUTCH MIDFIELDER MATTHIJS DE LIGT I DID SOMETHING WRONG IN THE FINAL, THUS WE LOST TO CZECH REPUBLIC

Matthijs de Ligt was sent off in the second half of the Netherlands’ last-16 defeat by the Czech Republic. The defender had earlier denied Patrik Schick a clear goal after being sent off for handballing. The Netherlands went on to lose the match 2-1 and are out of Euro 2020 in the last 16. Tomas Holes and Tomas Schick scored as the Czechs progressed to the quarter-finals.

Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt says he feels responsible for the incident in Holland’s defeat by Ajax on Saturday. The yearold was involved in a scuffle after failing to control a ball which led to him using his hands instead of his feet during the first half.

Dutchman said

“THE MOMENT CHANGED THE GAME AND I FEEL RESPONSIBLE. I SAW HOW THE GUYS FOUGHT AFTER AND I’M PROUD OF IT. BUT I FEEL BAD ABOUT THE INCIDENT.”

THE DUTCH DIDN’T SHOW ENOUGH RESPECT

Czech Republic beat the Netherlands 0 to reach the quarterfinals of the European Champions League. The Dutch became the first side in the history of the competition to win all three group games and then lose in the first knockout round. Former England striker Dion Dublin said they failed to show the Czech Republic “enough respect”.

Netherlands coach Nigel de Jong criticised his team’s performance in their defeat by the Czech Republic. De Jong said there was a “lack of intensity, aggression and mentality” in the match. But midfielder Frenkie de Jong insisted his side “didn’t underestimate” the Czechs. The Netherlands lost the opening game of the Euro qualifying round of to Slovakia on Saturday.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC WERE TACTICALLY READY

Czech Republic reached the quarter-finals of Euro with a 2-0 win over Poland in their last- match. The Czech Republic’s victory was their first in the last eight of a major tournament since 2004. They will face Belgium in the semi-finals after they beat Denmark 3-0 in the quarter final.

“LOOK AT THE GOALS THE DUTCH CONCEDED. TACTICALLY, THE CZECH REPUBLIC WERE READY, THEY SET THE TEAM OUT AND THE ENERGY LEVEL THAT THEY BROUGHT WAS INCREDIBLE.”

The Czechs, ranked 40th in the world, will face another tough test against Denmark in Azerbaijan but goal scorer Holes has belief.

“IT’S UNREAL, LIKE A DREAM,”

He said.

“IT WAS THE GAME OF MY LIFE. WE WERE THE UNDERDOGS TODAY AND MAYBE BEFORE IN THE GROUP STAGE. I BELIEVE WE CAN STILL SURPRISE DENMARK, MAYBE EVEN BEYOND THAT.”