England v Netherlands Group F 16-06-1990
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00:00Well, ever since the World Cup draw was made way back in December, this is the first-round
00:20match that everyone wanted to see, and with both teams having dropped points in their
00:24opening games, the outcome here in Cagliari is even more vital than we imagined.
00:30The referee tonight, Mr Petrovic from Yugoslavia, England, with their skipper Brian Robson taking
00:36this early free kick, in white shirts of course, and attacking in the first half from left
00:42to right.
00:43A tremendous atmosphere in the Sant'Elia Stadium, the fans from Holland and England
00:48equally divided.
00:50Karolinaka, unable to control the early through ball, and the Dutch who've made three changes
00:58in their team tonight, and here's one of the young men brought in, Richard Vitschke, he's
01:02only 20, Young Player of the Year in Holland, replacing Erwin Koeman.
01:06England, of course, with this new tactical system, playing a sweeper for the first time
01:11under Bobby Robson's management.
01:15Walker-Fowl giving England the free kick, just outside the centre circle, Robson will
01:21take it.
01:22In marked contrast to the match here against Ireland, it's a warm evening, no real problems
01:29with the weather, as Butcher turns a useful-looking ball forward, and Linneker with the first-time
01:33cross, testing out van Broekelen, who was equal to it.
01:38The throw a little bit too far ahead of Pulit, he was challenged by Pearce, and the Dutch
01:45have a throw-in right on the halfway line, Rijkaard playing in a more defensive role
01:51tonight than the midfield position he occupied against Egypt.
01:58This is Vitschke for Holland, and a useful-looking ball as well, and the Dutch have men on the
02:08overlap as well, and Van Basten coming to meet the intended cross on the near post,
02:13and it was Parker who got it clear.
02:15Another free kick, well done Atkinson, Watts, Waddle, this is right, Gascoigne has switched
02:27to the left-hand side, and a good ball for Barnes, well that's a great ball, and Linneker's
02:34onside, and turned back towards Barnes, and it took the interception by Rijkaard to prevent
02:40a moment of real danger to the Dutch goal.
02:44Linneker on the end of a superb through ball from John Barnes, and England unlucky.
02:49Brilliant football, great Freddy pass by Barnes, Linneker doing what he does well, hanging
02:54on the last defender, unselfishly cuts it back, a little bit unfortunate not to have
02:58somebody in the box there.
03:00Paul Gascoigne, who has been really angry with the way the media have treated England
03:04out here, and certainly his performance against Ireland was a good one, and that's a great
03:12little run as well, and met on the near post, and such an unlucky moment for Brian Robson
03:17who sneaked forward as he's done so often down the years, getting on the end of Gascoigne's
03:23cross, Robson playing in a more defensive role in that opening match against Ireland,
03:28but this is the Robson we know so well, and now come forward.
03:38Useful free kick as well, and right net he got there, and so too did Linneker.
03:42Both of them were inches away from making contact.
03:46Good in swinging free kick, Ron, which caused the Dutch a few problems.
03:50Yes, England do that particularly well, Gascoigne delivers a good ball, they've got a tight
03:54nut of strike players in a very small area, and the goalkeeper Van Broecklin.
04:00Robson marshalling his troops.
04:10Shilton again, very decisive, but Koeman, well England knew they had to close him down
04:16quickly, it's legendary of course, the shooting ability of Ronald Koeman from that kind of range.
04:24And England did their job well then, Ron.
04:31Yes, I think it was Waddle, punch out, Waddle and Linneker, both forward players, both attacked
04:37the ball and...
04:38Certainly a fascinating tactical battle this one, wholly unlike the match against Ireland.
04:44This is the kind of football we've been used to seeing in this World Cup.
04:47Van Basten trying to turn and wriggle clear of Walker, and plays it forward for Hullet.
04:54And again, Hullet's timing wasn't quite right, although, to be fair to him, it was a difficult
04:59ball that he had to stretch for, it was a lovely ball in fact.
05:03There's the movement again, Van Basten's dropped off, Hullet, 14 stone, 6 foot 4, a lot of
05:08power going through there, very fast.
05:12Paul Gascoigne.
05:15Waddle gives it in back, but Barnes takes over.
05:19A lot of England players forward in this attack, Waddle lays it off beautifully for Barnes,
05:23Linneker's come to meet it on the far post, Pearce.
05:27And really, the cross was almost too deep because Linneker had made a lovely run wrong.
05:32Yes, but I think John Barnes, when he went past the last man, was gambling on Linneker
05:36going to the front post, which invariably Gary Linneker does, he's the best in the business
05:40at it.
05:41That time, I think he'd just pulled away to the second post, I think he's looking for
05:46him there to go in short, but Linneker's pulled away and he's had to change his mind a little
05:49bit, John Barnes.
05:53Wichka with the kick.
05:55In towards Hullet on the near post, Chilton with a terrific punch, Kuhlman playing it
05:59back in, Van Alen out there again to Wichka.
06:06And he's done well to find Rijkaard, and turned in dangerously.
06:09Van Basten's header, it was done so casually that Chilton had to scramble across, even
06:16though it was just a little looping header, it could still have found the top corner.
06:24Yes, I think Van Basten's tried to do what Uruguayan tried against, Podoma tried against
06:30Chilton, hasn't quite caught him off his line.
06:32Kuhlman switching it out to the right, to Van Schip.
06:36In towards Van Basten, Robson got there first, it's a Dutch corner, or is it?
06:41No, Pearce just keeps it in.
06:46Strange sort of ball by Pearce.
06:49Rijkaard moving dangerously forward.
06:53And Chilton right behind the shot, from Van Basten.
06:59Well Ron, that was a moment of danger really created by the mistake by Pearce.
07:03Well I thought Pearce played him a...
07:06Here we see Rijkaard, touch off, good effort.
07:18Barnes.
07:20That's going to have to stretch, Butcher playing a good ball forward for Lineker.
07:24And Tiggelum barring the way to goal.
07:26Harker's in the box, so is Barnes.
07:30Lineker's done really well here and turned it back to the near post and Kuhlman was on
07:34hand to get it away at the far post as England really threatened danger.
07:39Superb play by Lineker, tried to find Barnes first of all, and then saw danger on the far
07:45post and England have a corner.
07:47That's Barnes, Lineker and Waddle have all gone past their last line of defence now with
07:51sheer pace.
07:54Six minutes to go to half time.
07:57England press with a corner.
08:02Met by Kuhlman on the near post.
08:06Pearce, back to Gascoigne.
08:09Foul, England's free kick.
08:11Missed the signal again for Teddy Butcher and Mark Wright, just out of the picture at
08:15the moment, to come forward.
08:25So another one of those little in-swingers from Gascoigne perhaps.
08:29Waddle is there as well, giving them another option.
08:35In it goes.
08:36Met by Kuhlman again.
08:38In it goes.
08:39Met by Kuhlman again.
08:41Pearce with the shot.
08:42Good effort actually from that range.
08:47We've seen John Barnes curl in some beauties for Liverpool from this situation.
08:50We know that Pearce can hammer them in.
08:56Gascoigne there as well.
08:58The Dutch will be aware of all the dangers facing them now.
09:02It's Pearce who hits it!
09:04Van Broekelen did well with so many players in front of him.
09:08He did well to keep his eye on the ball and field it so confidently.
09:16This will be a hard stopper for Van Broekelen.
09:20And it's a showstopper as far as the match is concerned.
09:23It was the final kick of the half and we reach half-time in Calgary.
09:28A great first half but no goals.
09:32England nil, Holland nil.
09:35Welcome back to Calgary for the start of the second half.
09:40The score at the interval was England nil, Holland nil.
09:43The Dutch in their orange jerseys now attacking the goal to our right.
09:46And a very even first half.
09:48England having the better of the early exchanges.
09:50The Dutch the better of the 15 minutes or so before half-time.
09:55But all in all a much improved performance by both England and Holland
09:59on the evidence of their first matches in this group.
10:04Mark Wright.
10:07And Terry Butcher.
10:10This new partnership in the England defence.
10:13With Wright, Butcher and Walker all picked together for the first time.
10:16Here's Pearce.
10:19A bit clumsy then and Van Basten takes the gift.
10:23Pull it down the touchline.
10:26And Pearce did well to recover.
10:29But Holland do have a throw.
10:31Van Schip has looked quite dangerous down this right-hand side.
10:34Always supported by Van Alen.
10:37And that's been one of the problem areas for England.
10:42And Van Alen will take the throw.
10:48In towards Van Basten.
10:52And Holland have another opportunity to try and prize open England again on this near side.
10:57Van Alen with the throw once more.
10:59Robson marking in front of Van Basten and Walker's right behind him.
11:06And Van Basten sneaked away from both of them.
11:10And made the challenge which has led to a third successive Dutch throw in virtually the same spot.
11:17I think by the early Dutch pressure.
11:22Right to Robson.
11:28Robson with a long range shot that could well have caught out Man Verhoeven.
11:33As it happens he took it with contemptuous ease.
11:37But good thinking by Robson.
11:39That was the captain at his best.
11:40Buckingham charging.
11:42Good shot.
11:44The further these lighter balls how they can travel so much more through the air as well.
11:49Scored the goal. The sole England goal.
11:51And a marvellous goal it was in the European Championship defeat against Holland two years ago.
11:55Brian Robson.
11:58Van Alen getting forward again for Holland down the right.
12:01And has won another corner for them.
12:03Off Pierce.
12:10That's now three corners in the first five minutes of the second half.
12:14That Zoran Petrovic.
12:17England suddenly get it unexpectedly with Gascoigne.
12:19And he's got Lineker in support.
12:21But couldn't use the opening.
12:24Wouters charging forward now for Holland.
12:26And Hullit showing him where he wants the ball played.
12:28And getting it just there.
12:30Oh and a first time effort.
12:32Pierce did well to block him.
12:35Right rather not Pierce.
12:36Waddle turning it forward.
12:38And a useful ball as well for Gascoigne.
12:43And Parker's got himself completely clear on the right.
12:46And he's got Lineker up with him.
12:48Not a very good ball but still danger.
12:50Waddle.
12:52And it's gone back to Parker.
12:53And he's onside here.
12:54And he looks for Lineker.
12:56Still Lineker.
12:57Yes.
13:03But wait.
13:04The referee has killed England's joy short.
13:09And indicates just why.
13:11Lineker with the first shot here.
13:13And he was adjudged to have used his arm before he put the ball in the net.
13:18Ron Atkinson.
13:19Yes I thought here at this moment in time I thought Parker was offside at that particular moment.
13:24Lineker would see better.
13:25Ah yes.
13:26Left hand.
13:27Good decision.
13:3212 goals in his 34 internationals for Holland.
13:35Marco Van Basten.
13:39Good header by Barnes there to win it for Lineker.
13:43And Barnes again.
13:44And Lineker again.
13:46Oh dear.
13:47Gary Lineker.
13:50Snatched at the shot.
13:53And the man who was the top goalscorer of course in the 1986 World Cup.
13:58Has scorned a good chance there Ron.
14:00Brilliant build up play with Barnes.
14:01Gary Lineker not to his best foot but he still should have scored there.
14:07Got you terrified of his pace.
14:10Barnes.
14:12That's a great little ball for Robson.
14:17Ball is in the middle here.
14:19Lineker.
14:20Looking for him.
14:21And finding him.
14:23Wow.
14:25I know in training.
14:27Ball has scored from just about 95% of his opportunities.
14:32And when it came for real.
14:34He was just off target.
14:35You would bet your life on him here.
14:36Good header.
14:37Maybe a shade offside.
14:39They certainly are looking for offside the Dutch.
14:44Lineker.
14:45Inside his own half.
14:46That's a rare sight.
14:48Butcher.
14:50A lot of England players forward here.
14:53One of them is Gascoigne.
14:56Gascoigne has done brilliantly here.
14:58Bull.
15:00So close again.
15:04Lineker on the far post.
15:05It was Bull who made contact as the ball came over.
15:10Brilliant piece of football here where he does the little drag back behind his heel.
15:13And this must have been about the sixth time the ball has gone across the Dutch goal line
15:17without just getting the final touch.
15:20Well, the match has reached a very tense stage indeed now.
15:24Keeft for Holland.
15:26Nine minutes to go.
15:28Van Basten.
15:29A goal now would surely be enough.
15:31And Van Basten has done well here.
15:34Well, he made the shooting opportunity brilliantly.
15:37But the shot that followed was not up to Van Basten's usual style.
15:42It was standard.
15:43Thank goodness.
15:51Ron.
15:52Yeah, once again, long range shot.
15:53Good turn.
15:54Good turn.
15:55He's good at that.
15:56Sells Walker the wrong way.
15:57But the shot never really troubled Chilton.
16:01Holland's throw.
16:02Quickly taken.
16:03Van Alen finding Rijkaard.
16:06In short to Van Basten.
16:08Van Basten turning.
16:09Looking to make room for the shot.
16:11Good challenge by Parker though.
16:13And Wright brings it clear for England.
16:17That's a good ball.
16:19Gascoigne.
16:20Lineker and Bull ahead of him.
16:23And Gascoigne going alone.
16:24And he was surely being obstructed.
16:27And the referee has seen it that way as well.
16:32A little word or two from Paul Gascoigne.
16:36And England have what could be their last opportunity
16:41to win the match.
16:44We're almost a minute into time being added for stoppages.
16:47And Gascoigne's determination has earned England a free kick.
16:51And everybody virtually has come forward.
16:55Wright.
16:56Butcher.
16:58Bull is there.
17:00Lineker is there as well.
17:01And Barnes.
17:03Now we need a good free kick now.
17:05The penalty area absolutely packed.
17:12And it's driven in.
17:15Amazing.
17:17England have won it with the very last kick of the game.
17:21But have they?
17:22The referee has again for the second time in the match
17:26cut short England's celebrations.
17:30He gave an indirect free kick, didn't he?
17:34Well, that's the way it is.
17:36He gave an indirect free kick, didn't he?
17:40Well, did it not touch somebody as it went in, though, Ron?
17:44Anyway, it's immaterial because it's not been allowed.
17:48And England suddenly have to pick it up again.
17:51And the referee has looked at his watch.
17:54Butcher.
17:57In towards Platno.
17:58He couldn't control it.
17:59Mantegna right behind him.
18:00And there's Mullet.
18:01And the match ends in drama.
18:02But it ends to the boos of the England supporters
18:06aimed at the referee for that disallowed goal in the final seconds.
18:12Pearce hammering it in.
18:13Did it not touch one of the Dutch players on its way in?
18:16Or did it go in cleanly?
18:18That'll be the big debating point here.
18:20Seemed to take a slight deflection.
18:22But not really easy to say from that angle.
18:24But anyway, it's a great talking point.
18:27England have earned a draw.
18:30And a point.
18:31The final score in Cagliari.
18:33England nil.
18:35Holland nil.
18:36As we see the free kick yet again.
18:38And I think it did go in cleanly.
18:40So the referee was right.