CARDIFF: Arjen Robben scored twice to lead the Netherlands to a 3-2 victory against Wales in a friendly match in Cardiff on Friday. The Netherlands, which failed to qualify for next year’s European Championship in France, went ahead through striker Bas Dost’s header after 32 minutes.

Joe Ledley equalized for the hosts on the stroke of halftime, converting a rebound after Netherlands goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen parried a penalty by Joe Allen. Robben restored the visitors’ lead nine minutes into the second half, before Wales leveled again on 70 through a header from midfielder Emyr Huws. But Robben won the match with his second goal in the 81st minute, racing clear of the Wales defense and slotting past goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams with a composed finish. Wales coach Chris Coleman, who is preparing for his team to play at the Euros next year, was encouraged by his squad’s display despite the defeat.

Wales was missing its two biggest stars in Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, through injury. “We scored two goals without Bale and Ramsey, which is a big thing when you look at who was getting the goals for us in the qualification campaign,” Coleman said. “We are building and these lads need minutes if they are to come with us to France.” Netherlands coach Danny Blind was pleased with the response from his players in the team’s first match since missing out on next year’s championship. “It was a hard job to motivate them after we missed out on the Euros but the team were focused and put a lot of energy in the game,” he said.— AP