Netherlands

Netherlands 0-0 Paraguay: Third Consecutive Scoreless Draw For Dutch

The Netherlands recorded yet another scoreless draw, as both teams failed to impress in Heerenveen.

Nov 18, 2009 4:40:57 PM

Rafael Van der Vaart - Netherlands (Getty Images)

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Rafael Van der Vaart - Netherlands (Getty Images)

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Netherlands 0-0 Paraguay, Line-ups/Stats
International Friendlies

The Netherlands and Paraguay failed to entertain the fans in Heerenveen and had to settle for a scoreless draw in Wednesday's friendly.

The guests were responsible for the first dangerous situation after about seven minutes of play, when Nelson Valdez went after a through pass. However, Holland goalie Maarten Stekelenburg came off his line to clear the danger.

Again Valdez tried his luck from just outside the area halfway the first half after a low cross from the left, but the Borussia Dortmund forward aimed his curled shot just wide of the Dutch target.

Rafael van der Vaart came close to breaking the deadlock minutes later when he opted to test the Paraguayan shot stopper from the edge of the box. His shot deflected wide off the back of a defender though.

The away side got yet another chance about ten minutes before the half-time whistle following sloppy defending from Gregory van der Wiel. Nevertheless, Stekelenburg rushed off his line again to deny Valdez.

Ibrahim Afellay unleashed a placed shot from 20 yards out after Paraguay failed to clear a corner kick, but the PSV star aimed just too high and his shot sailed into the stands.

It took until the hour mark before we saw the first shot on target, but the attempt wasn't too impressive though. Benfica star Oscar Cardozo stepped up for a free kick from 45 yards out, only to see Stekelenburg pick up his harmless shot.

Holland got their first serious chance of the match after 68 minutes of play. Afellay sent in a superb cross for Van der Vaart, who got his well placed header in at the far post. However, Justo Villar pulled off an outstanding save to deny the Real Madrid playmaker.

Stekelenburg was called into action again five minutes before the final whistle. Cristian Riveros unleashed a volley from the edge of the area, but the Dutch goalie wasn't troubled too much.

Milan striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar showed his class in the dying seconds of the game after being set up by Afellay. The prolific hitman created space with an excellent first touch, but his powerful left footed shot was saved by Villar.

Stefan Coerts, Goal.com

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