INTERNATIONAL

• Halftime report Netherlands vs. Czech Republic

  
  

  Aveiro, Portugal (Sports Network) - The Netherlands used goals by Wilfred Bouma and Ruud van Nistelrooy to take a 2-1 lead over the Czech Republic into the locker room at halftime of a EURO 2004 Group D battle at Aveiro Municipal Stadium.

  Bouma scored his second international goal when he snuck in behind the Czech defense off a set play. Arjen Robben, who was involved in both first-half strikes by his side, sent a perfect inswinging ball from the right endline to Bouma at the far post. The PSV Eindhoven defender then easily headed the ball into the net to open the scoring in the fourth minute.

  Robben, who was inserted into the starting lineup after not appearing in Holland's 1-1 draw with Germany in its opener, created constant havoc down the left wing. In the 19th minute he ran unimpeded down the left wing and received a lovely throughball from Dutch midfield partner Edgar Davids. Robben quickly spotted van Nistelrooy in the center of the area for the easy tap-in goal.

  The Czech Republic would answer back just minutes later when Milan Baros powered his way through the Dutch defense. Baros then unselfishly fed Jan Koller for a rather effortless finish to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

  The fast pace continued through the entire first 45 minutes with each team getting its fair share of quality scoring chances. Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech kept his squad down just a goal with a brilliant save on Johnny Heitinga's shot that was surely headed for the top corner of the goal if not for a fingertip save.

  The Netherlands also had another chance to increase its lead denied by the woodwork. Davids unleashed a rocket shot from just outside the area that hit off the right post before being cleared by the Czech defense out of harms way.

  The Czech Republic came into the match atop Group D with three points, using two late goals to edge Latvia in its opener. The Netherlands got a fantastic strike by van Nistelrooy in the waning moments to earn a 1-1 draw with Germany on Tuesday.

  06/19 15:37:01 ET