Conte, Hiddink suffer contrasting Euro fortunes
Italy too strong for Norway, Czechs snatch last gasp win over Dutch
Antonio Conte and Guus Hiddink experienced contrasting fortunes in their first competitive games in charge of Italy and the Netherlands in their respective Euro 2016 qualifiers on Tuesday.
Simone Zaza and Leonardo Bonucci were on target to give Italy a 2- 0 win in Norway and make it a dream start for Conte, who replaced Cesare Prandelli after he resigned following the Azzurri’s first-round exit at the World Cup.
The result in Group H also saw the Italians extend their impressive unbeaten record in qualifying to 41 games, stretching back eight years.
Meanwhile, a late goal from Vaclav Pi lar saw Hiddink’s Netherlands slip to a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic in Prague.
That meant it was a disappointing start to his second spell in charge of the national side for Hiddink, who filled the vacancy left by Louis van Gaal after he led the Oranje to third place at the World Cup.
However, with the top two in each group automatically qualifying for the finals in France and playoffs for the third-placed teams the Dutch should still have no problem in advancing from Group A.
Pressure, though, wil l be growing on Safet Susic, who was thought fortunate to have survived in the Bosnian job after their disappointing first- round exit at the World Cup finals and a 2-1 home defeat to Cyprus in Group B on Tuesday did him few favours.
Turkey’s coach Fatih Terim may be nicknamed the ‘Emperor’ but his players did not play like
It will not be easy for anyone to come and play in Norway. And I don’t remember (goalkeeper Gianluigi) Buffon getting his gloves dirty, while we created numerous chances.
Antonio Conte, Italy manager
Empire builders as they slumped to a 3- 0 defeat away to Iceland, who continue to progress after losing out to a World Cup finals place in the play- offs.
Both Susic and Terim could have done with someone of the star quality of Gareth Bale, for the Real Madrid forward came to Wales boss Chris Coleman’s rescue in scoring a double, the second a marvellous free-kick 10 minutes from time, as they came from behind to edge minnows Andorra 2-1.
Andorra – who had not won in 51 competitive fixtures since beating Macedonia in October 2004 – had taken a shock lead early in the Group B encounter in Andorra la Vella as Ildefons Lima converted a sixth- minute penalty, ending an Andorran goal drought in competitive matches stretching back 18 games.
Italy, showing six changes from the side that lost to Uruguay to bow out of the World Cup, have made a promising start under former Juventus coach Conte having also beaten the Dutch 2- 0 in a friendly last week. “In nine days we have already done great things,” Conte told Rai 1 after the game.
“It will not be easy for anyone to come and play in Norway. And I don’t remember ( goalkeeper Gianluigi) Buffon getting his gloves dirty, while we created numerous chances.”
The Dutch, who were without Arjen Robben and Klaas- Jan Huntelaar, looked to have fought their way back into their game in Prague when Stefan de Vrij headed past Petr Cech from Daley Blind’s cross in the 55th minute.
However, his fellow defender Daryl Janmaat was to unwittingly hand the Czechs the late winner as his ill-judged header back to ‘keeper Jasper Cillessen allowed Pilar to nick in and tap the ball home.