THE Netherlands failed to reach the European Championship for the first time since 1984 as they lost 3-2 at home to the 10-man Czech Republic in their final qualifier Tuesday to miss out on Euro 2016.

    The Dutch, third at last year’s World Cup in Brazil, saw their hopes of a dramatic rescue act in the campaign evaporate as they conceded two first-half goals.

    The former European champions had to win and hope Turkey lost at home to Iceland to sneak into third place in Group A and book a slot in next month’s playoffs.

    However, the Netherlands were consigned to fourth spot behind the Turks, who won 1-0 to secure a place at the finals in France as the best third-placed team.

    The loss left the Dutch with 13 points from their 10 matches behind Turkey on 18, while the Czechs claimed top spot in the group with 22 points, two ahead of Iceland.

    Pavel Kaderabek and Josef Sural stunned the hosts with goals in the first period and the game was over when substitute Robin van Persie headed into his own net in the 66th minute. The Dutch consolation goals came from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Van Persie.

    “The truth is we gave it away,” said midfielder Wesley Sneijder told Dutch NOS radio. “We needed to be disciplined and sharp because we weren’t going to get too many chances.

    “We knew it would be tough but to so easily concede goals meant it was all over for us early in the game.”

    A second half change in tactics by the Dutch to full-out attack failed to turn around a dire situation despite the Czechs being down to 10 men after the sending off of Marek Suchy just before halftime for a last-man tackle.

    The Netherlands were European champions in 1988 and third in 1992, 2000 and 2004. They went out at the group stage of the last edition at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

    (SD-Agencies)