Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman says he regrets not making a late defensive switch after Germany scored a last-minute winner in their Euro 2020 Group C qualifying game in Amsterdam.
Nico Schulz’s goal ensured Joachim Low’s side gained revenge over their hosts, who had scored two late goals against Germany in November to reach the Nations League finals.
“I wanted to bring in Nathan Ake for Quincy Promes to get the point. Maybe I should have done that,” Koeman told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
“We got chances for 3-2 and when you are on the field, you can feel that 3-2 is in it. In the final phase, the last two to three minutes, Germany became more dangerous.”
Like in last year’s Nations League contest, the Dutch again recovered from a two-goal deficit.
Leroy Sane confidently slotted in the opener following Matthijs de Ligt’s slip and Serge Gnabry curled in a superb second to put the visitors in the ascendency.
De Ligt’s header and Memphis Depay’s drilled effort in the second period drew the Dutch level but midfielder Schulz stroked in late on.
“What pleases me is that the team never lost the belief that they could win the game, and in the end we got our reward,” Low said.
Northern Ireland top Group C after beating Belarus 2-1 at Windsor Park to add to their 2-0 win over Estonia in their opening qualifier.
Koeman’s side, who have also played twice, drop to third place following their agonising loss against Germany, who have only played once.
