Zima heroics but Czechs denied by Netherlands

Already assured of winning Group B, the Netherlands held the Czech Republic to a 0-0 draw to deny them a semi-final berth.

Josef Csaplár's team knew victory would put them through, yet a point proved insufficient due to Germany's 1-0 victory against Romania. Had it not been for their inspired goalkeeper Lukáš Zima, though, the Czech Republic would not have secured their third draw of the finals, and they can at least look forward to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico.

Condemned to a second-half onslaught from Germany on Friday, the Czech Republic quickly had their backs against the wall once more. Memphis Depay, one of only four survivors in Albert Stuivenberg's team from the one that beat Romania 1-0, was the main instigator of much of the Dutch's vibrant play.

The Czechs, though, had Zima, who saved two penalties against Germany. Danzell Gravenberch was first to be denied having pounced on a loose ball inside the area. Though his shot was again kept out just two minutes later, Zima could only parry and was fortunate to see Depay poke the rebound wide. The PSV Eindhoven winger had a trio of chances to make amends in the first half, only to find Zima in obstinate form once again.

Half-time seemingly failed to halt the Netherlands' momentum, Thom Haye the latest to profit from a neat interchange inside the penalty area only to fire over. This latest spurned opening did not prompt the barrage that followed in the opening period, however, Csaplár's charges this time standing their ground.

Indeed, they would have snatched the goal they needed had Michael Lüftner's header have crept inside the frame of the goal rather than centimetres past it. Peter Leeuwenburgh then turned an Ondřej Karafiát effort just wide as Czech hopes of qualifying vanished.