Jurgen’s Dutch double prompts Wales setback
WALES Under-21s suffered a further setback in their quest to qualify for the Euro 2023 finals after they were thumped 5-0 by Holland.
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp’s double inspired the rampant Dutch to a resounding win in Nijmegen as Paul Bodin’s side failed to bounce back from Friday’s disappointing defeat in Moldova.
Sven Botman and Daishawn Redan were also on target for the clinical hosts at Goffertstadion, either side of a Fin Stevens own goal.
The heavy loss leaves Wales second bottom of Group E on four points from as many games – six adrift of leaders Switzerland.
Seeking to get their campaign back on track, the visitors swiftly fell behind as the unmarked Ekkelenkamp slid in to divert Mitchel Bakker’s left-wing cross into the roof of the net inside seven minutes.
Dutch captain Botman doubled the advantage 10 minutes before the break by volleying home Daniel Van Kaam’s corner via a hefty deflection off Rhys Hughes.
Wales forward Luke Jephcott threatened to halve the deficit but the game quickly ran away from the away team early in the second period as they conceded three times in the space of just seven minutes.
Brentford defender Stevens started the goal rush, inexplicably sending the ball looping into his own goal in the 48th minute after Redan helped on Jeremie Frimpong’s cross from the right.
Striker Redan then finished at the second attempt following Bakker’s pass just two minutes later, before Hertha Berlin midfielder Ekkelenkamp lashed home his second of the match in the 54th minute to cap a painful evening for the outclassed Welsh.