Dutch fightback floors Croatia
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
Article summary
Croatia 2-2 Netherlands Late goals from Niels Vorthoren and Martijn van der Laan earn the Dutch an unlikely point.
Article body
Croatian cruise
Croatia had seemingly taken control in San Giuliano Terme with Nikola Kalinic providing an assured first-time finish to Stipe Bacelic-Grgic's low cross in the 29th minute. Provider turned scorer midway through the second period as Bacelic-Grgic burst through the Dutch defence and shot beyond goalkeeper Tim Krul.
Dutch fightback
Just as the points seemed secured, however, the Netherlands pulled a goal back a minute into added time as Jeffrey Sarpong's mis-hit shot was tapped in from close range by Vorthoren. Four minutes later, with practically the last kick, Van der Laan slammed the ball into an empty net following a goalmouth scramble to snatch the most improbable of draws.
