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Aissati seals a spot at the Euro Under-21 championship (PSV.nl)

17 nov 2005 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl

The Netherlands have sealed a spot at the 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, thanks to 2-0 win over Slovenia in Heerenveen last night. The first play-off leg in Slovenia last Sunday ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Ismail AissatiA sell out crowd at the Heerenveen Abe Lenstra Stadium watched an entertaining game. PSV player Ismail Aissati, who was given a place in the starting line-up, played a major contribution in the move that led to the opening goal on eleven minutes. Former PSV striker PSV Klaas Jan Huntelaar clinically finished a superb double one-two combination set up by Aissati. The PSV youngster put on a fabulous display in midfield. He was hardly dispossessed and he delivered a great many fine passes. Although the Slovenians piled up the pressure, the hosts comfortably held on. Young Slovenia showed more initiatives after the break, but just when an equalizer would have been a just reward for their efforts, Huntelaar struck once again. The 22-year-old striker produced a glancing header from a perfect Braafheid centre that went home. The side coached by Foppe de Haan did not have to survive any scary moments in the remaining minutes of official time. Young Slovenia were down to ten men, when Urbanc was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who has scored as many as fourteen goals for the Dutch U21 side, was taken off during the closing stages to a standing ovation of the ecstatic home crowd. 'This is just great'Aissati was delighted his team had ensured qualification for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2006, but he admitted it had not been a walkover at all. "They played a defensive style of football and it was hard to find an opening. Fortunately we could break the deadlock before half time. This is just great. I really love to play these kinds of games. It makes it all worthwhile." Earlier on the day his PSV head coach Guus Hiddink had guided Australia to the World Cup 2006 finals. "We all watched the game and we all think it is a marvelous achievement", concluded the youngest player on the pitch.Euro 2006The UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2006 starts on 25 May 2006, but the UEFA have not yet announced where the tournament will be held. As Holland U-21 have qualified, they are still one of the candidates to organize the tournament.