Euro 2016 qualifier: Vaclav Pilar's goal hands Czechs 2-1 win over Dutch

Prague: The Czech Republic snatched a last-gasp 2-1 win over the Netherlands thanks to Vaclav Pilar`s added time goal after a dreadful mistake by Daryl Janmaat in their opening Euro 2016 qualifier on Tuesday.

Defender Janmaat attempted to cushion a header back to Jasper Cillessen inside the area but it beat the Dutch keeper and struck the post only for Pilar to tuck the rebound into the net to the delight of the home fans watching the Group A clash. 

The Czechs had started brightly and were rewarded in the 22nd minute when David Lafata controlled a cross into the box before laying it off to Borek Dockal whose left-foot shot slammed off the post into the net to give the hosts the lead.

The Dutch, third-place finishers at the World Cup in Brazil, responded with a Stefan de Vrij driving a header into the back of the net after a cross from Daley Blind in the 55th minute.

The Czechs kept their shape at the start in an effort to blunt a Dutch attack missing several key players, including Arjen Robben who was out with an ankle injury.

The Dutch, who finished third at the World Cup, began taking more control in the second half but they could not beat Czech keeper Petr Cech for a winner as both sides pressed forward.

The Czechs, who have been struggling in recent matches, always looked dangerous on the break and scored when the Dutch mix up gave them a dream start to their campaign.

The result also gave coach Pavel Vrba, who took over following their failure to qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, his first victory at the helm.

The match was Guus Hiddink`s first competitive game in charge since his return to the national side after Louis van Gaal stepped down to take charge of Manchester United.

The loss made Hiddink the first Dutch national manager to lose his first two games since his previous reign in 1995.