With two goals before half time, Bjorn Meijer (20) put the Dutch Juniors on the right track in Georgia before half time. Coach Michael Reiziger saw his team lead Ohio to 0-3 through striker Noah and will lead the Dutch team in the European Championship qualifying group towards the 2025 European Championship in Slovakia.
An excellent boost for Meijer, in a season in which he had little time to play at Club Brugge. The left wing defender suffered a nasty abdominal muscle injury in the summer. Last season, the youth product of FC Groningen was praised in Belgium with his enormous running ability. At the Dutch Juniors he took the next step to confirm the status he deserved with the southern neighbors next season.
The Dutch Juniors survived two big Georgian chances in the initial phase, but then ‘woke up’. It put a lot of pressure on the home team, who had already won 1-1 at the European Championships in their home country last summer. Kenneth Taylor hit the post hard after about 25 minutes and not much later Meijer headed in his first from a corner: 0-1.
Dominant Orange
Just before half time, Meijer was released from a deflected corner by Taylor by a block by Ruben van Bommel and a subtle heel behind the supporting leg of Sontje Hansen. Meijer scored from close range to make it 0-2, shortly after debutant Ryan Flamingo was close to doubling the margin.
After the break, the Jong Oranje’s game remained dominant against the toothless resistance of the Georgians. While Taylor initially saw a third goal disallowed, not much later he played striker Noah Ohio. He turned strongly away from his direct opponent and shot the 0-3 behind the hopeless Georgian goalkeeper. In the 57th minute it seemed like a prelude to much more, but the home country was spared.
The Dutch Juniors play in Gibraltar on Tuesday (5:30 PM).