Dutch edge Spain; Cape Verde stun Portugal

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands once again proved too good for an under-par Spain as goals from Stefan de Vrij and Davy Klaasen handed the hosts a 2-0 friendly win in Amsterdam on Tuesday.
Spain were hoping to exact revenge for the 5-1 thrashing they suffered at the hands of the Dutch at last year’s World Cup, but their chances were undone by two goals in the opening 15 minutes.
De Vrij rose highest to head home Wesley Sneijder’s in-swinging cross before Klaasen was given an alarming amount of space inside the box to fire home on the rebound after David de Gea had saved his initial effort.
Defeat means the European champions have now lost friendlies against three continental heavyweights France, Germany and the Dutch since being dumped out in embarrassing fashion after just two games at the World Cup.
“It seems impossible that we haven’t scored,” said Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.
“We paid for the first 20 minutes. We dominated the game, were on top of them and had a lot of chances, the only thing we lacked was a goal.”
His Dutch counterpart Guus Hiddink said it was a good result but denied that it had been a crucial one for him even though it was only his third win in eight games since taking over after last year’s World Cup finals.
“This result will boost the confidence of the team,” said the 68-year-old, who is in his second spell with the national side.
“Is it a relief to me personally? No because I didn’t have the impression I had a weight bearing down on me.
“I have been criticised but journalists have a habit of being scathing. We just get on with our work and everyone is pulling in the same direction.”
Del Bosque made nine changes to the side that sneaked past Ukraine 1-0 in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday, whilst Hiddink made just five alterations from his side’s 1-1 draw with Turkey.
Meanwhile in Johannesburg, South Africa, Cape Verde

upset a weakened Portugal 2-0 in Estoril on Tuesday as seven days of international football friendlies involving African teams ended.
Portugal lacked many stars, including the biggest one of all Cristiano Ronaldo, having won 2-1 at home against Serbia just 48 hours earlier in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
The Blue Sharks scored twice within six minutes close to half-time at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota for a rare away victory over European opposition.
Ghana and Mali drew 1-1 at Stade Sebastien Charlety in southern Paris, enabling both countries to avoid suffering two straight losses during the international window.
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, who has not scored for Serie A outfit Udinese this season, put the 2015 Cup of Nations runners-up ahead on 53 minutes.
He nudged a through ball past Soumaila Diakite and then ran past the fallen goalkeeper to tap the ball into the net.
Bakary Sako from English second-tier promotion contenders Wolves levelled by converting a 71st-minute penalty needlessly conceded when Richmond Boakye fouled Molla Wague.
Malian Modibo Maiga rattled the crossbar during the first half and Boakye struck the post after half-time.
Mali lost 4-3 to Gabon last Wednesday and Ghana fell 2-1 to Senegal three days later.
A stoppage-time equaliser from Yu Dabao forced Tunisia to settle for a 1-1 draw with China in the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre stadium.
After conceding a couple of late goals to lose 2-0 in Japan, the Tunisians looked set for victory having taken the lead on 39 minutes.
Substitute Mohamed Ali Moncer crept unnoticed to the far post and gave the Chinese goalkeeper no chance with a powerful header.
Saber Khalifa wasted a chance to double the advantage soon after half-time as his penalty was blocked and he fired the rebound wide.
Democratic Republic of Congo, who exceeded expectations with a third-place Cup of Nations finish, were the only African team to lose both friendlies.
A 1-0 defeat by Iraq at Khalid Bin Mohammed Stadium in Sharjah followed a 2-1 loss to the same country three days ago at another United Arab Emirates venue.