Dutch hit back from three down to stun Austria 4-3

VIENNA (Reuters) - Striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar hit a late winner for the Netherlands to cap a superb fightback from 3-0 down to seal a 4-3 win over Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria in a friendly on Wednesday.

Huntelaar headed home in the 86th minute to complete a remarkable turnaround for Marco van Basten's side.

Austria had taken a three-goal lead, going ahead after six minutes through captain Andreas Ivanschitz.

Sebastian Proedl headed home an Ivanschitz corner to make it 2-0 after 18 minutes and the duo combined again for Proedl to add a third.

"Our start was not good but that is an understatement," said van Basten. "We started really poor but even then you don't have to concede three goals, which were all caused by personal fouls.

"I changed some positions at half-time and brought (defender Wilfred) Bouma instead of (Joris) Mathijsen, and that was an improvement.

"We reacted well in the second half and proved capable of turning the tide."

It was the first time that the Dutch had conceded three goals since losing 3-1 to Italy in November 2005.

Huntelaar began the comeback eight minutes before the break, John Heitinga got another midway through the second half and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink equalised eight minutes from time.

Austrian coach Josef Hickersberger, whose team are 88th in the FIFA rankings, was disappointed.

"In the second half we were defending too deep, we didn't have enough ball possession," said Hickersberger, who blamed a loss of concentration in the second half. "I hope we'll manage to be in absolute top form for Euro 2008."

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