The Netherlands have failed to qualify for Euro 2016, after suffering a 3-2 home loss to the Czech Republic.
Before the match even commenced, many believed it was far fetched for both Netherlands and Iceland to win their matches.
Circumstances escalated from far fetched to mission impossible when the Oranje trailed 2-0 at halftime. Substitute Robin van Persie added fuel to the already raging fire when he netted an absolute blunder of an own goal.
By this point, the Dutchmen’s fate appeared all but sealed – the requisite was now four goals, along with an Iceland victory over Turkey.
The third-place finishers in Brazil 2014 managed to pull back two goals, but it simply wasn’t enough, failing to make the European Championship for the first time since 1984.
While the Dutch were drowning in dismay, Turkey endured triumph, defeating Iceland 1-0 after a fantastic free kick from Selcuk Inan in the 89th minute.
Free-kick master Hakan Calhanoglu had been substituted, but Inan stepped up and unleashed a tremendous strike that sent Turkey to France, avoiding a play-off match after Kazakhstan provided a helping hand by defeating Latvia 1-0.
The best third-place finish was determined by head-to-head record against first, second, fourth and fifth in the group. Turkey had a good record against Kazakhstan, which proved vital when Kazakhstan moved from sixth to fifth with the victory over Latvia.
The dramatic scenes at the Konya Buyuksehir Stadyumu in Turkey were breathtaking, as the players awaited the full-time whistle in Latvia, hoping that Kazakhstan would hold on. Turkish celebrations erupted when the result was confirmed.
Turkey successfully qualified for the European Championship behind fellow Group A nations Czech Republic and Iceland.
The following countries also qualified: Belgium, Wales, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, England, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Austria, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, and Albania.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Republic of Ireland, Slovenia, Hungary, Sweden, Norway and Denmark are now contesting the remaining four places in what will be an intriguing tournament in France next year.
SM
Guest
Why is it sad? They would have stunk up the tournament had they somehow made it. Now it's rumoured that they are going to be sticking with Blind. I'm trying to think of another example where another big footballing country has shot themselves in the foot like this. Good grief!
SM
Guest
It's quite remarkable. Why on earth did the KNVB go for Hiddink when Koeman was available? Talk about a bloke who's past it, this is a man who threw out all the good work van Gaal had done with a limited squad and had driven the team into the ground. This current side is ill-equipped to play 4-3-3 and that was clearly demonstrated throughout this campaign. The less about Blind and his baffling bias towards Ajax the better. What a complete charlatan. I initially had some sympathy towards the bloke, but that's long gone.
Vesna Pusic
Guest
So KNVB methodology has failed? I wonder what FFA thinks of this??
marron
Roar Guru
It was arguably too late... but blind hasn't tried to do much different to what hiddink was doing.
SM
Guest
I see Hiddink, the architect of all this, is not even mentioned in the article.
Gavin
Guest
Besides their astonishing performance against spain to kick things off, they werent that impressive really.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
Quite the fall from grace post-World Cup... Was hoping to see more from the Dutch considering the strength of their squad
Brian
Guest
Sad the Dutch won't be there. Looks like Spain or Germany to win again. Ousiders - France, Belgium, Italy