SHAFAQNA –
Iceland midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a brace against Holland to pile pressure on Guus Hiddink.
Hiddink’s second reign as Holland manager has not got off to the best of starts as he has witnessed his side lose three of their first four games under his control.
Swansea midfielder Sigurdsson followed up his goal against Latvia by converting a penalty past Jasper Cillessen in the 10th minute.
Holland’s team looked in dismay as Gylfi Sigurdsson was allowed to run riot against their side during the first half
Swansea midfielder Sigurdsson stepped up to take an early penalty and managed to beat the diving Jasper Cillessen
Sigurdsson added a second shortly before half-time to send Iceland on the way to claiming all three points against Holland
Holland have struggled to deal with life after Louis van Gaal, following his move to Manchester United after the 2014 World Cup
Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder were part of a strong Holland side which were defeated by Iceland
Bayern Munich winger Robben was unable to unlock Iceland’s sturdy defence during the match in Iceland
MATCH FACTS
Iceland: Halldorsson, Bjarnason, Arnason, Sigurdsson, Skulason (Saevarsson 46) Hallfredsson, Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason, Bodvarsson (Gislason 89), Sigthorsson
Subs not used: Jonasson, Valdimarsson, Ottesen, Finnbogason, Gunnleifsson, Jonsson, Danielsson, Skulason, Kjartansson
Holland: Cillessen, Van der Wiel, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Afellay (Fer 78), De Jong, Sneijder (Huntelaar 45), Robben, Van Persie, Lens (Promes 68)
Subs not used: Verhaegh, Bruma, Veltman, Van Dijk, Clasie, Narsingh, Klaassen, Zoet
Sigurdsson strike from the spot came after Stefan de Vrij was adjudged to have fouled Birkir Bjarnason inside the area.
The Premier League ace doubled his side’s lead just before the interval when he punished Holland for their slack defending inside the box by blasting the ball past the helpless Cillessen.
Hiddink threw on Klass Jan Huntelaar at half-time – to join the likes of Arjen Roben and Robin van Persie – in hope that he could ignite their attack, however they were unable to find a way back into the game.
Holland started the second half with Van Persie hitting over from outside the box. Another fine Daley Blind cross looked set for Van Persie to pull a goal back for his side but the pass was deflected away from the Manchester United forward’s grasp.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson could have made it more comprehensive for Iceland as he broke clear with minutes remaining but failed to hit the target.
The Scandinavians now have nine points from nine in Group A and sit alongside the Czech Republic, who also have a 100 per cent record.
Holland have just three points, with their first ever loss to Iceland arriving after an opening defeat to the Czechs.
The expanded version of Euro 2016 means they remain alive in their bid to qualify, but their form – on the back of a World Cup semi-final – suggests they will have a job on their hands to make up the gap.
Guus Hiddink has failed to get the best out of his players since returning as manager of the Holland national team
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal guided Holland to 2014 World Cup semi-finals during his final weeks in charge
Iceland sit at the top of Group A alongside the Czech Republic after winning all three of their Euro 2016 qualifiers
SOURCE : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2791510/iceland-2-0-holland-sigurdsson-piles-early-pressure-hiddink.html