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Dutch masters make short work of weak Northern side

Netherlands 6 Northern Ireland 0: THE NETHERLANDS fired an ominous warning to the rest of the Euro 2012 field on Saturday night…

Mon Jun 04 2012 - 01:00

Netherlands 6 Northern Ireland 0:THE NETHERLANDS fired an ominous warning to the rest of the Euro 2012 field on Saturday night with a clinical dismantling of Northern Ireland.

Amid a carnival atmosphere at the Amsterdam Arena, they scored six goals without reply to underline their role as one of the tournament favourites.

In-demand Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored twice, including once from the spot, while Ibrahim Affelay also got a brace, with the other goals coming from Wesley Sneijder and Ron Vlaar.

As well as sending the Dutch off in style, it meant a miserable second game in charge for new Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.

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The former Shamrock Rovers boss had to cope with an absentee list reaching double figures, and saw a youthful side brushed aside with ease. But O’Neill does not believe his men can afford to feel sorry for themselves.

“If you’re scarred for the future by something like that then you’re not cut out for international football,” he said.

“It has to make you tougher, it has to make you able to deal with it. That’s part of football. Whether you’re a player or a manager you have to deal with that disappointment.”

In Copenhagen, Denmark put their run of two successive defeats behind them to see off Australia in their final warm-up game.

They beat a strong Socceroos line-up featuring Harry Kewell 2-0, with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger winning and converting a penalty, before Andreas Bjelland netted his first international goal.

Portugal were given a pre-tournament wake-up call by Turkey, losing 3-1 in Lisbon. Umut Bulut’s brace put Turkey 2-0 ahead and, although Nani got one back, the visitors held on and increased their lead with Pepe’s own goal.

Co-hosts Poland enjoyed a routine win too, beating Andorra 4-0 in Warsaw.

HOLLAND: Stekelenburg; Heitinga, Vlaar, Van der Wiel, Willems (Schaars 78), Robben (Narsingh 82), Sneijder (Kuyt 70), Van Bommel (Van der Vaart 57), N De Jong, Afellay, Van Persie (Huntelaar 57) Subs not used: Vorm, Bouma, Strootman, L De Jong, Boulahrouz, Krul.

NORTHERN IRELAND: Camp (Carroll 46), Duff (McArdle 62), McPake, Hodson, Ferguson (Healy 81), Lafferty (McGivern 46), McCann (Carson 46), Clingan, Norwood, Grigg, Little (McGinn 56) Subs not used: Coates, McCourt, McQuoid, Hughes, Donnelly, Mannus.

Booked: Duff, Hodson

Referee: R Schorgenhoffer (Austria).