Vitesse 4
Dundee Utd 0
Friendly

Match Report

United began their pre-season tour of the Netherlands with a visit to the ground of RKSV Driel to play old UEFA Cup foes Vitesse Arnhem. As if often the case with the first friendly of a pre-season, a makeshift eleven started the game, with Marc McCallum between the sticks and new signing Mark Durnan partnering Sean Dillon in a back four. Mario Bilate started the game as a lone striker, flanked by Dow and Connolly. Along with nine other substitutes, trialist Coll Donaldson, formerly of QPR and Livingston, was named on the bench.

United were under pressure from the word go in Driel, Mark Durnan forced to intercept on a couple of occasions inside a minute. Ryan Dow was first to offer for the Terrors, sending a shot wide from just inside the box and moments later Chris Erskine forced a save from a wide angle. An injury to Ryan Dow after thirteen minutes forced United into their first change, with Blair Spittal eventually replacing the United winger. But while the substitution was being pondered, Vitesse pounced and took the lead with a simple ball over the top, finished by Uroš Djurdjevic. The same man doubled the Dutch side's lead three minutes later when he intercepted Durnan's short header back to McCallum. Vitesse largely dictated as the match continued, despite Erskine and Connolly hitting the target with efforts towards the end of the half.

United replaced six more players during the interval, introducing Donaldson, while Vitesse substituted their entire eleven. Within seven minutes of the restart, Vitesse had gone 3-0 ahead through Denys Oliinyk, despite offside calls from United. Attempts to stem the tide were temporary as Vitesse soon made it four as 'Vako' Qazaishvili struck from 25 yards to beat McCallum. No further goals were scored as the game was closed out as the superior home side eased their way to victory.

Match Photos courtesy of Riki Grauer - More photos available at:
Dundee United Official Flickr Page