Euro Championships Day 3 – Sunu & Özyakup In Action

Day three of The UEFA European Under 17 Championship’s got under way this afternoon, with all the teams playing the final games of the group stages before next weeks knock out phase.

Gilles Sunu’s France fresh from the stunning 3-3 draw with Spain took on Switzerland. While Arsenal’s other representative new signing Oguzhan Özyakup was again named on the bench as his Dutch team took on a struggling Scotland.

Oguzhan Özyakup started from the bench, but played the last 5 minutes as Holland beat Scotland 2-0 thanks to goals in either side of half time from Geoffrey Castillion, and Ricardo van Rhijn. They are now into the knockout phase next week.

Gilles Sunu started for France and played the full 80 minutes as France booked there place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Switzerland, thanks to a double from Yannis Tafer.

Scroll down for full reports on both fixtures.

Oğuzhan Özyakup – Holland 2-0 Scotland

Oguzhan Ozyakup was again named on the substitutes bench as Holland looked to build on their 1-0 win over Serbia, with a win over struggling Scotland.

The Netherlands were the firm favourites for the win, and set about the Scots by forcing three early corners. However the delivery from Cabral left a lot to be desired. Scotland were dogged in their attempts to defend, and snuffed out the early threats the Dutch possessed.

The hard work as nearly undone as a nice passing move ended with Eekman dragging his shot wide from a great position. Scotland could have had a goal themselves shortly after, when Campbell twisted and turned away, before stabbing his shot wide of the post.

The final ball was letting Holland down, and the control for the giant forward Castillon did not help matters, but he near turned provider after playing a slick 1-2 with Jordy Clasie, but the play-maker could not keep his effort down and it was subsequently blocked.

As half time approached the Dutch felt they should have had a penalty, when Sneijder clipped Castillion away over the top, as he raced forward the Scotland goalkeeper came racing out and clashed with the Ajax man, nothing was given. But less than 60 seconds later Castillion would get revenge.

Tim Eekman lofted the ball over the Scots back line, Castillion took control on his chest before slotting the ball beyond the advancing keeper to give Holland the lead on 34 minutes. The next chance would come from Rodney Sneijder’s left footed free kick, but it was scrambled away as the half drew to a close.

Half Time – Holland 1-0 Scotland

The second period began with fouls and free kicks for both sides, as the game struggled to get going. Then things exploded into life, as Ricardo van Rhijn strolled forward from defence and found himself in possession on the edge of the box, he played a deft and neat 1-2 with Castillion before lashing the ball into the corner of the net from a tight angle to double the lead on 46 minutes.

Almost instantly after it should have been 3-0 as Jerson Cabral and Castillion linked up, sending the latter racing inside the left channel. As the Scotland keeper advanced Castillion over hit his cross and the danger was cleared.

The Dutch were in control and probing for a third, but coach Stuivenberg decided to rest one of his stars and Rick van Haaren replaced Rodney Sneijder with 25 minutes left. Then came a mini spell of pressure from Scotland, as they worked two quick fire corners the latter was cleared with ease.

Clasie had caught the eye in the Dutch midfield and not just for his bizarre hairstyle, he clipped the ball to Castillion on the edge of the box, who’s left footed volley was caught with ease.

Scotland has more chances on the break, but lacked the ability to convert them or keep the ball for long periods of time. The two substitutes nearly combined to bring the scores to 2-1 as Paul Slane’s cut back was stabbed wide by Robert McHugh.

However it should have been 3-0 shortly afterwards as Jerson Cabral’s cross found Clasie’s head but he clipped it over. With 5 minutes left Clasie was withdrawn and Oguzhan Özyakup was introduced.

He was instantly involved in an attack as he played a neat double 1-2 with Lorenzo Ebecilio, but the move was snuffed out. He was then part of a two man wall which blocked Paul Slane’s free kick with the game coming to a close.

Cabral then sold Oguzhan short with a poor pass which allowed John Fleck the chance to break away. But it was again easily dealt with. Deep into stoppage time Özyakup raced into the box and stepped away from his marker as Castillion tricked forward. Instead of the obvious option of pulling it back for the Arsenal starlet to shoot, the big Ajax striker went for goal and made it easy for Scotland keeper Grant Adam.

It finished 2-0 which means Holland progress to the knockout phase and Scotland will be going home.

Full Time – Holland 2-0 Scotland

Gilles Sunu – France 2-0 Switzerland

Gilles Sunu was restored to the starting line up for France’s crunch game with Switzerland. A win for either side would see them join Spain in the semi finals next week.

France have started their fixtures in an attacking manner throughout the competition, and made a bright start as Gael Kakuta forced an early corner. However the nerves got to the players as the half progressed, and it become an end-to-end encounter.

Pasche had two chances with a couple of shots at the French goal, but both came to nothing. This was followed by a shot from Kakuta which went for a corner, but the resulting set pieces was blocked and cleared. But with 8 minutes left of the half the impressive Yannis Tafer struck home to give France a vital lead, which they would take into half time.

Half Time – France 1-0 Switzerland

The Swiss came out for the second half with an attacking mentality, and had a great early chance when Rebronja was bundled over by Fauré. It was wasted and the frustration got to the Swiss who began to kick out, however Gilles Sunu sporting some flashy red boots cut inside and unleashed an effort but the Swiss keeper Borkovic gathered with ease.

Sunu had worked hard for his team and played a part in the move which led to Tafer bagging his second, and his teams second to wrap up the win on 51 minutes. Sunu would have the games next chance but his shot was dragged wide.

Then came a period of substitutions for both sides, which saw the flow of the game disrupted. The flow never really returned to the game, but France won a corner which was taken by Sunu, but was over hit, then Sunu was adjudged to be in an offside position following Kakuta though ball.

The win sees France safely through to the semi finals as group winners, with Spain finishing second behind them. Spain came from a goal down to beat Ireland in a brilliant game, and i must say every one of Spain’s players are superb.

Full Time – France 2-0 Switzerland

Semi-finals Will Be As Follows.

Netherlands V Spain
France V Turkey

So we could see the two Arsenal boys in the final, however Turkey and Spain will be the firm favourites to get there.

Article By – J.Sanderson