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Dutch strike late to salvage draw with Italy
Nathan Ake scored two minutes from time for the Netherlands to grab a 1-1 draw with hosts Italy in a friendly in Turin on Monday between two of the best sides not to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
Nathan Ake scored two minutes from time for the Netherlands to grab a 1-1 draw with hosts Italy in a friendly in Turin on Monday between two of the best sides not to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
Simone Zaza squeezed home a square pass after a sprint down the right flank by Federico Chiesa in the 67th minute to give the home team a deserved lead after they had spurned a series of first-half chances.
Zaza got ahead of a tired-looking Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk to steer the ball home from close range.
But Italy had defender Domenico Criscito sent off two minutes later after he picked up a second caution, opening the door for the Dutch to push for an equalizer.
Substitute Ake stole in the back post unmarked to power home a header for the 88th-minute equalizer and might have grabbed a winner on the stroke of full-time in a similar fashion.
Italy should have been comfortably ahead at halftime even though both sides looked leg-weary.
Dutch keeper : Jasper Cillessen made a point-blank save from Andrea Belotti and Simone Verdi missed a sitter for Italy.
Dutch midfielder : Rudi Vormer cleared off the line with a header just before the interval to deny Bryan Cristante.
Both teams are rebuilding under new coaches -- Roberto Mancini for Italy and Ronald Koeman for the Netherlands.