OMEN
08-17-2006, 12:46 AM
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Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted a brace as Holland inflicted Republic of Ireland's worst home defeat in over 40 years following a 4-0 win at Lansdowne Road.
The Oranje were out for revenge following their World Cup failure and made amends with a fine display as efforts from Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie settled a comfortable win.
Marco van Basten's charges began in confident fashion and their excellent possession put them in control of the friendly from the off.
The visitors should have taken the lead after 13 minutes, but after Rafael van der Vaart's clever free kick found Robben, the Chelsea winger could only scuff his shot into the side netting with Paddy Kenny to beat.
Steve Staunton's men continued to live dangerously and were lucky to remain level when Huntelaar was denied his first international goal as he was deemed offside.
However, the Ajax striker did not have to wait long to open his account when he converted van Persie's inch-perfect header just one minute later.
Things failed to improve for the home side before the break when a mistake at the back allowed Robben the chance to finish with his weaker right foot and he made no mistake by tucking a low shot past Kenny.
The home side looked an improved outfit after the break with Staunton making no less than four changes to his starting XI at the interval.
However, they were soon caught out again at the back and Holland added a third to end any hopes Ireland harboured of getting back into the contest.
Van der Vaart was left all on his own and he unselfishly played a neat pass to Huntelaar who finished with aplomb over the on-rushing Kenny for a superb goal.
Ireland did respond and Jonathan Douglas had a good run before shooting wide while Edwin van der Saar had to be at full stretch to deny debutant Alan O'Brien.
Holland asserted their dominance on 70 minutes when van Persie had time and space on the edge of the box before lashing home off the underside of the bar.
The visitors could and should have added to their lead late on, however wayward shooting ensured Staunton's men did not suffer further punishment.
Skysports
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar netted a brace as Holland inflicted Republic of Ireland's worst home defeat in over 40 years following a 4-0 win at Lansdowne Road.
The Oranje were out for revenge following their World Cup failure and made amends with a fine display as efforts from Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie settled a comfortable win.
Marco van Basten's charges began in confident fashion and their excellent possession put them in control of the friendly from the off.
The visitors should have taken the lead after 13 minutes, but after Rafael van der Vaart's clever free kick found Robben, the Chelsea winger could only scuff his shot into the side netting with Paddy Kenny to beat.
Steve Staunton's men continued to live dangerously and were lucky to remain level when Huntelaar was denied his first international goal as he was deemed offside.
However, the Ajax striker did not have to wait long to open his account when he converted van Persie's inch-perfect header just one minute later.
Things failed to improve for the home side before the break when a mistake at the back allowed Robben the chance to finish with his weaker right foot and he made no mistake by tucking a low shot past Kenny.
The home side looked an improved outfit after the break with Staunton making no less than four changes to his starting XI at the interval.
However, they were soon caught out again at the back and Holland added a third to end any hopes Ireland harboured of getting back into the contest.
Van der Vaart was left all on his own and he unselfishly played a neat pass to Huntelaar who finished with aplomb over the on-rushing Kenny for a superb goal.
Ireland did respond and Jonathan Douglas had a good run before shooting wide while Edwin van der Saar had to be at full stretch to deny debutant Alan O'Brien.
Holland asserted their dominance on 70 minutes when van Persie had time and space on the edge of the box before lashing home off the underside of the bar.
The visitors could and should have added to their lead late on, however wayward shooting ensured Staunton's men did not suffer further punishment.
Skysports