Ireland, boosted by an early strike by Arsenal reserve Graham Barrett, earned an impressive draw with Holland in Waterford last night and might easily have snatched victory despite a virtuoso performance from Rafael van der Vaart, the new rising star of Dutch football.
Barrett, who scored twice in the Republic's previous outing in a 3-0 win in Estonia in June, was on target again in the first nine minutes only for van der Vaart to come up with a quick reply.
But the Irish were denied what looked a clear-cut penalty in a second half in which they made the better openings.
Both teams turned in a splendid exhibition of skill and endeavour to cheer a crowd of nearly 5,000.
Barrett, who soon troubled the Dutch defence with his determined running, tucked in the opener after just nine minutes but it was Thomas Butler's trickery that paved the way.
The Sunderland winger played a short corner routine with Stephen McPhail, sidestepped a defender and laid on a simple chance for the young striker..
Within five minutes Holland were level when the Irish failed to clear a free-kick and Dirk Kuyt's flick released van der Vaart to beat the exposed Joe Murphy.
The Tranmere goalkeeper saved bravely with his legs to deny van der Vaart a second goal as Holland enjoyed a period of supremacy, but Barrett should also have doubled his tally in the 27th minute when McPhail intercepted a loose pass by Dutch skipper Ruud Knol and put the striker in on goal. Keeper Jelle ten Rouwelaar quickly closed down the angle and blocked the shot.
He would have been powerless to stop McPhail's superb curling shot from a Barrett pass on 38 minutes but the ball drifted just outside the far post.
Leeds youngster McPhail excelled in a roving midfield role having returned to action after nine months out with an Achilles injury.
Tall Millwall striker Richard Sadlier gave the attack extra focus with his aerial prowess and nimble touch on the ground. And twice early in the second half the Dutch were fully stretched to foil his solo dashes.
And Ireland had a good case for penalty in the 66th minute when Nottingham Forest full-back Keith Foy figured in a smart exchange with Sadlier before being bundled down, seemingly into the box but the referee thought otherwise.
REP OF IRELAND U21: J Murphy, B Quinn, Foy, Gavin, O'Shea, Healy, Butler, Byrne (Alan Quinn 46), Sadlier, Barrett, McPhail. Subs Not Used: Roche, James O'Connor, Damien Delaney. Goals: Barrett 9.
HOLLAND U21: ten Rouwelaar, Lamey, Wisgerhof, Knol, Bosschaart, Janssen, Kromkamp, van der Vaart, Kuyt, Hersi (Houwing 90), Bobson (Zonneveld 68). Subs Not Used: van den Ban, van Nieuwstadt, Touzani, Douglas. Booked: Kromkamp. Goals: van der Vaart 13. Attendance: 4,750.
Referee: E Bozinovski (Macedonia).
