The Netherlands aim to break the knockout failure

KATHMANDU: JUNE 27 – The Netherlands is competing against the Czech Republic in the knockout stage of Euro 2020 today at 9.45 pm. The knockout experience is not fast for the Netherlands, which has scored 100 percent in the group stage. Therefore, this time Netherlands goal will be to reach the quarterfinals easily by coming out on the field with restraint against the Czechs.

The Czech Republic, who finished third in Group D and knocked out, will also be on the field to repeat the sensational 2004 result against the Netherlands. The Czech won in 2004, reversing a two-goal deficit.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, the assistant coach of the Netherlands, says that he will take the field to forget the bitter experience of knockout. He says the Netherlands, who were knocked out of the knockout stages of the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 Euro, is not exempt from losing this time around. “We’ve reviewed knockout mistakes in the past,” Nistelrooy said. Learning from those mistakes, we are not allowed to repeat the same mistakes. ‘

With eight goals against three teams in the group stage of the ongoing Euro 2020, the Netherlands is seen as a title contender. But former Manchester United striker Nistelrooy says he needs to be mentally prepared for the knockout as the pressure of the knockout and group stages is different.

Facts / Statistics
The Netherlands and the Czech Republic are competing for the first time since October 2015. The Netherlands won the match 3-2 during the Euro 2016 qualifiers.

This is the third time the two have competed in the European Championships. Both have won the previous two matches. The last thrilling match between the two was in 2004 at the European Championships. Reversing the situation after 2 goals, the Czech won 3-2.

The Netherlands have reached the knockout stages of the Euro seven times since winning the 1988 tournament, but have managed to cross the knockout stage only twice. The Netherlands has been waiting for four consecutive victories at the European Championships since 2000.

The Czech Republic has made it to the knockout stage four times and has failed three times. Czech has won only one of the seven matches he has played in the main competition.