Wales v Netherlands Match of the Day Wales

Coleman's men have taken Welsh football from the shackles of their

history. Football fever has gripped the

nation. Just under 18 months ago, Wales were warm up fodder for the

Netherlands. Wales were ranked 43 in the Fifa rankings. The Dutch almost

reaching the World Cup final. 18 months on, Wales have made it to

Euro 2016, the first major finals since 1958. Wales sit 15th in the

Fifa world rankings above the Netherlands who amazingly have not

qualified. The Dutch arrived at Cardiff City Stadium to help us with

our preparation. Good evening to you. Welcome to the Cardiff City

Stadium. It is a very damp Cardiff City Stadium and I hope that where

ever we are based in France next year for Euro 2016 it will be a lot

warmer and sunnier. A big test for Chris Coleman's side. Alongside me,

Kit Symons, part of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign before taking

over the reins at Craven Cottage. We will talk about follow later. First,

when you are Chris Coleman and you arrange a friendly like this, what

do you want to get out of your side? A good test against a strong side.

The Dutch are having a tough time at the moment but they have got quality

players. A great work-out for the boys. You know the squad in the

dressing room right now, when you are missing key individuals like

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, what is the spirit like in the camp? They

will be missed but the spirit is as if they were here. A good mood in

the camp and it has been building. It is a solid environment we have

got and it will be good. So much has been written about Chris Coleman as

well. What does he bring to the side? He is a leader of men. From

playing days when we were together years ago, people follow him. He is

very honest, heart on his sleeve, the players respond. He is a really

good leader. We have been talking to key members of the Wales team to

find out what Chris Coleman brings to the Wales party. He came in in

impossible circumstances. He treats every lap the same, he has got the

best out of the lads and he has proved it on the pitch -- lad. We

saw how tough it was and some of the stick he was getting, probably very

undeservedly. To see how well he has done now is great for him, and as

players, we are really happy. We are a tight group, team spirit is big. I

am sure that shows on the pitch. Every performance we put in, only

good things for us. He has got us working together, he has got us

organised on the field and I think he has got the feel-good factor back

about Welsh football, really. He has got a great personality and the

players want to play for him. You can see they love him and they

respond to him. His management is second to none. Also, he has

developed tactically. He is very tactically astute. I do not think

there is another international manager we have faced who has got

the better of him. He has been absolutely magnificent. Could you

understand that in the World Cup qualifying campaign, there were

questions about you and Chris Coleman, could you understand the

criticism? That is football, everything is down to results. They

want them immediately. We did not get them. It was disappointing in

the end. I am delighted Chris has been given the time to prove how

good he is and people are seeing it now. Certainly the decision to stick

with him has been absolutely vindicated. We are delighted to

welcome Howell who was part of the Wales side as well, not here this

evening playing because of injury, having a great season for Reading.

How much would you love to be out in this wonderful Welsh rain?

I would love to be out there. I got an injury against Andorra. The boys

will be relishing this. It is against top competition. They have

top-class players. It will be an opportunity for the boys who haven't

played much to show what they can do. Chris Coleman has been talking

to us. Chris, your team tonight. What does that show? We have gone as

strong as we can be stopped. It is still tolerant -- Holland, so it

will be tough. We are missing certain individuals, as we know, but

the players we have got, as they have showed every time they have

come out, they are always proud for us. The lads that we have got, they

have set a precedent, they have set a level, and we must continue to it

those levels. They will be giving their best. A big chance for Tom

Lawrence? Tom has done very well. And without the normal front three.

He has impressed us. He came on in the second half against Andorra and

did well. He does a good job in Blackburn. He has been with us for

most of the campaign. He didn't get much time on the pitch except the

last game. There is no pressure on Tom tonight. He will want to do

well, but no pressure. He will go out and enjoy the experience. In a

lot of these games, that's what it's about. Let's talk about Tom

Lawrence. If you read some of the newspapers, there are some

suggestions that he may be joining Valencia on loan. How promising is

he? A bright young talent. He has been around the squad a long time,

always impressed in training. It has helped that he has been around this

environment for a lot of time. He is playing very well at Blackburn. He

is a confidence player and is confidence is up. He had a fantastic

second half against Andorra. He came on and showed what you can do at

this level. When you are young, it's important to take opportunities and

impress, and he did that. Somebody else magnificent for Wales has been

Ashley Williams, the captain. What do you make of the criticism of

Ashley recently of his form for Swansea? Is that because he has been

incredible internationally? In general, his standard is so high. He

has been a rock for Wales and for Swansea. So I think it is doubly

natural, any dip in form, people will jump on it. It is modern-day

football, people expect standards to be incredibly high week in, week

out, and that is almost impossible. What is he like on the pitch and in

the dressing room as a leader of men? That is exactly what he is. He

set the standard. There is no slackness in the team. He is an

important part of the squad and he shows that. He will get back to

despair in no time, I am sure. -- back to his best. Do you look at

players on the referee? Will you be watching this closely? It will be

good to see Joe playing against top-class opposition. He will be

relishing a challenge. He has been fantastic for Wales. He is an

excellent player. Let's find out more about the Dutch. They haven't

qualified for Euro 2016. In the coach is under real pressure. They

are now rebuilding for the World Cup.

It is the finest of galleries, the Dutch masters, but next year 's

exhibition in France will contain no orange. The Euro 2016 qualifiers

were a disaster. This Dutch team are sort of down and out. We lost, and

we didn't just lose just like that, but we hardly scored any goals. We

are on our back and we need to get back. In the obligatory pre-match

press it, all appeared rosy. There was talk of a blank canvas. The

situation is different. They are going to be your rose, we are not

going. It is disappointing and painful. But it is totally up to us.

The only thing we can do is just trying to restart. Yeah, it isn't

nice to say, but we have to start and prepare for September 2016.

Manager Danny Blind's face, however, painted a different picture. He is

under immense pressure. Next week, there is a friendly against Germany,

reigning world champions. If Holland lose that, nobody will say, that is

not a problem, but losing against Wales would be disastrous,

catastrophic. Talking to the Dutch press in Brazil in 2014, they were

surprised they got so far and almost made the World Cup final and lost

against Argentina on penalties. Is this the start of your World Cup

preparations? It is. It is a pity we didn't qualify for the European

Championship in France this summer, so we had to look to be further

future now. That is qualification for Russia 2018. How difficult is it

to motivate your players after what has happened? Of course, it is

difficult because you know you only play friendlies until the summer,

but we have two years those games in a good way. -- we have had to use

those games. I have to prepare the players in a professional way. We

need to play good games. We play against Wales, we play against

Germany next week, in March we play against France and England. They are

good opponents so they are real tough games. But, of course,

good opponents so they are real better to play friendly games in

relation to the European Championships. It is difficult, but

we have to deal with it. For you, what has happened to the Dutch? The

wheels have come off. It has been a tough time. They have good players

but there doesn't seem to be that gelling and cohesion. It is a

process of rebuilding. It is a sign of the times that Arjen Robben, for

buying unit, said this weekend, I want to go to Cardiff and play for

my country. I don't think he would play against Germany because of his

lack of match fitness, but they need to get a result against Wales. What

do you think has gone on for the Dutch? At any level, you have to

apply yourself week in, week out. If you are not doing that, you will get

found out. Maybe they have been a bit slack since the World Cup and

they have obviously learned their lesson. They are a top nation so it

will be a matter of time before they are up there. One of the stars of

the show has been van Dijk. He has been exceptional since moving to

Southampton. Is defending has been top drawer. Some of the Dutch

journalists were a bit surprised he has done as well as he has, but he

has been excellent. As a central defender, what is so special about

him? He is obviously a physical presence. He competes very well. He

is aggressive. He plays on the front foot, which suits the Premier

League, and he has been exceptional. Wales to win tonight? Absolutely.

100%. Let's say good evening to our commentary team.

The teams are in the tunnel, waiting to enter the arena. Not quite the

atmosphere of Andorra just a few weeks ago, but how times have

changed for Wales. The last time they played in the Netherlands in a

friendly, Wales were the fodder so that the Dutch could head off to the

World Cup in some style. But what a difference time makes.

So, Arjen Robben and Ashley Williams, the two skippers, lead out

the Jew teams whose form has been so contrasting. -- the two teams. Their

form has been so contrasting in the last year or so. The eighth meeting

between Wales and the Netherlands, and not one Welsh victory. And, of

course, that Welsh line-up does not include Gareth Bale, error and

Ramsey and, for tonight, our very own Hal Robson-Kanu. We start with

the national anthems. First, the Netherlands.

# Wilhelmus van Nassouwe ben ik, van Duitsen bloed

# Den vaderland getrouwe blijf ik tot in den dood

# Een Prinse van Oranje ben ik, vrij, onverveerd

# Den Koning van Hispanje heb ik altijd geeerd

# Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,

# Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;

# Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwlad garwyr tra mad,

# Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed Gwlad, gwlad,

# Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad, Tra mor yn fur

# I'r bur hoff bau, O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau. #

Well, it is a filthy evening, but that won't diminish the enthusiasm

of these Welsh supporters. So, the teams. Chris Gunter goes level with

Ryan Giggs on 64 caps tonight with what could be called the first

choice defence. How will Wales cope without Gareth Bale and Aaron

Ramsey? That is the big question. The Dutch coach, Danny Blind, is

starting his rebuilding job in readiness for next autumn's World

Cup campaign, but still what's Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben

provide the experience of more than 200 international appearances

between them. A big night for Tom Lawrence, after an impressive cameo

against Andorra. He starts for the first time in the Hal Robson-Kanu

role. And Jonny Williams, one of the smallest players on the field, set

to play where one Gareth Bale normally features. And Arjen Robben,

returning as captain of the Netherlands to start what he calls

the new project. The referee is from France. He is

Benoit Bastian. France in their huddle. And Ashley Williams the rock

upon which Wales's 2016 success was built, such a key figure at the

heart of the Welsh defence. They call him a machine, and he shows no

sign of slowing down. So it is the Netherlands to kick off, and no such

things as friendlies now. The warm up for Wales's first final

tournament for more than half a century starts here, on a wet, cold

night in November at the Cardiff City Stadium. And the Netherlands

playing with five at the back. This is Blind of Manchester United

playing almost anywhere in midfield and defence. His dad has decided

that he plays left side of the defence. This is van Dijk, one of

two Southampton players in this Dutch side. Wales are keeping their

shape. At the moment, the Dutch are quite happy to knock it around in

their own half. Alongside me, former Wales striker Euan Roberts. Good

challenge by James Chester. That was probably handball. They still have

to defend. Euan Roberts, a big test for Wales. Don't be failed by their

poor qualification campaign. -- don't be fooled. A big

disappointment, finishing fourth, for the Dutch fans. But they have

got some quality in their side. Looking at our back eight, Joe

Allen, Joe Ledley, we have got loads of experience. We have got a good

defensive platform to build on. But we do lack those players that are

missing. Wales with one of the best defences in European qualifying will

. At the moment, they have hardly touched the ball. That is OK. The

Dutch back three have the ball, they just keep it among themselves. They

have had a lot of possession in the opening couple of minutes.

Van Dijk joined Southampton this summer.

Good work by Joe Allen. Wales getting a bit of possession.

Allen and Ledley were missing for the Andorra game because of injury,

but they are key players. There is nobody better than those two in the

midfield role. Then they give it to the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth

Bale to get great chances to score goals. They have such a disciplined

job in this side, and they do it. Wales have not beaten the

Netherlands in seven attempts. We already remember the nightmare in

Eindhoven. I wasn't there, thank goodness! They have lost all seven,

haven't they? It is the worst record they have against any nation that

they have played more than seven times. It shows the job that they

have tonight. Just looking at young Tom Lawrence,

he will be on his own. It is important that Andy King and

Jonathan Williams, who have got that slightly more attacking role in the

middle, that they get in there in support. He can't be isolated up

there or it will be a long match for him.

Such a shock for them not to qualify. A good challenge by Ben

Davies of Tottenham. Good speed by Neil Taylor, the

Swansea City left-back. That will settle the nerves of Tom

Lawrence on his first start. A really good turn. He impressed me

when he came on the 25 minutes, half an hour against Andorra. Got the

ball to his feet, good movement, good awareness, all the attributes

he just showed them to threat that passed. Good defending in the end by

Kongolo, just getting back. A challenge again by Lawrence, doing

really well. Jonny Williams has made a run ahead of him. That was

presented to the retweeting Kongolo. Good play by Tom Lawrence. The Wales

fans excited by what they have seen when Tom Lawrence has the ball. It

is on him again now. A solid challenge by Clasie, from

Southampton. That will drift out, will it? Yes,

it has for a goal kick. Just looking at the Dutch qualification, rob, I

was looking last night, Arjen Robben only played four of their ten

qualifying campaign games. Can you imagine if we don't get the bail for

four vows, we could have been in big trouble. Maybe it isn't such a

surprise that their star man only playing four games was a big

influence on them not getting to France. He is such a big influence

for this Dutch side. 28 goals for the Netherlands.

The ball was for Dost, but Jonny Williams picked it up. Ben Davies

has to be a bit more careful, in my opinion, on the left-hand side.

Leave that to Neil Taylor. You are one of the three central defenders.

The captain takes control. Neither goalkeeper yet tested.

Joe Allen was sloppy with his pass, but he has more than atoned for his

error. A warm round of applause from the Wales fans. It was sloppy. You

can't do that when you have got the likes of Arjen Robben around on his

toes. Williams won the header. Wesley Sneijder, one of the true

greats of European football in the last ten, 15 years. Arjen Robben,

one of the others, in this Dutch side. They win their first corner,

thanks to their captain. They are in Munich were not very keen on him

playing tonight, but he wanted to be there, although he will not play

when they play Germany on Tuesday. Plenty of white shirts forward.

Conflict on at the near post cleared now by Chris Gunter. -- flicked on.

They could cause problems from set pieces. About six or 76 footers in

their side. And Wales are not blessed with height. We are not. We

are dependent on the likes of Ben Davis, Chester, Chris Gunter, but

you can't give too many unnecessary free kicks.

Arjen Robben has switched flanks. An ironic cheer by the Welsh fans when

he still had the ball. It wasn't a dive!

Chester not yet played for west Brom, despite his summer move. They

have to be a bit better at possession. We can't give it away as

cheaply or we will be without the ball for long periods of this game.

Lawrence was in behind. Daley Blind went in with him. 64 caps, Chris

Gunter, level with Ryan Giggs, 12th in the overall standings. Lawrence

wins Wales's first corner. He just hesitated. He went to put it in then

decided, we don't have enough bodies in there. By the time there are

bodies arriving, Tom Lawrence goes to cross the ball, he is not

offside, but by the time he goes to cross the ball into the six yard

box, it is cut out. Joe Allen with the corner. Headed away by van Dijk.

Just as Wales did a few moments ago, the Dutch easily defend a corner

kick against them. And that is where Wales show their lack of height. You

should make a comeback -- I should make a comeback! I never scored when

I did play! A cagey opening, I think it is fair to say. You know, I think

Chris will be more than happy with the opening 12 minutes or so. We've

kept our shape, we've looked organised defensively. We have

showed that we have got the legs to get in behind the Dutch back three.

Wayne Hennessey hasn't had anything to do. Chris will be more than

happy. Ashley Williams reads the situation.

That is what he does so well. He reads things, he anticipates things.

He can see where that ball is going to end up in the Welsh box, and who

is the first one to react? The captain, the leader, Ashley

Williams. Only England and Romania and better defensive records in

qualifying for Euro 2016 than Wales, and only Albania as a qualifying

side scored less goals. Albania scored ten, finishing second in

their group. Wales scored 11. Not one of the European goal-scorers for

Wales is on the pitch tonight. Chester does a good job. He had to.

He came out of that middle maybe a little bit exposed. So he had to

then come over and win that ball. Chris Gunter tried to slide up the

line. Good work by young Jonny Williams. And Wales have the free

kick. That was Quincy Promes. Wearing

number seven, and is seventh cap tonight. Just looking at the way the

Dutch side are formed, I think they leave Dost, the six foot five centre

forward, up there on his own and then the others slip in and around

him, picking the pieces up. Nothing on so they go back to

Hennessey. There is a chance we will see Owain Fon Williams or Dan Ward

in the second half. Which ever one Chris thinks is number two, it is

important that they spend some time on this field against the Dutch

because neither have a cap so far. We can't go to France with just

Wayne Hennessey, the experience. What happens if he gets injured in

they need a taster of international football, which ever it is, Owain

Williams or Ward. The three will go. We will get an indication tonight

who is the second choice. That is to come.

16 minutes gone and no threat on goal. The Dutch have kept the ball

better than we have. We have looked good on the counterattack, as we

always do. The first threat does come from Bas

Dost. He looks a handful. He does. I'm looking at Bas Dost, he is

similar to Duric, big and strong in the air. If that is the case, you

have to stop that cross. You have to get pressure on the man on the ball.

Fourth cap for him tonight. No goals yet.

He is in good goalscoring form for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

It's those little strides from Robben... There he goes. King was

watchful. That's a hard one for young Lawrence

because he can't get hold of the ball. He's got two Dutch players

around him. He has to lay it off first time for Jonathan Williams.

Good work by Robben again. There's Chris Coleman. What a job

he's done. I would say a man at the height of his powers. I don't think

he's ever been more popular and ever stronger in a stronger position.

He's done an incredible job. He lost his first four or five games.

Lawrence into the penalty area. He can't get purchase on the shot!

First real chance for us. I tell you what he does, he moves that ball...

His first touch with the outside of his left foot is fantastic. He makes

van Dijk go the other way which opens everything up. He can't get

enough on the shot. It is a weak shot in the end by Nigella Lawson.

-- by Tom Lawrence. Without the big man up front, they

have to work their way into the penalty area, just like that. There

is no point going long and high towards Tom Lawrence, he is not

going to win his share in the air. He needs the right type of service.

He needs the right service up to him so he can get hold of it.

Encouraging signs for Wales. Particularly Tom Lawrence, his first

start, and here he is again. He's enjoying himself, Rob. He is.

He's in good form for Blackburn, on loan from Leicester City. That's

sloppy by Ben Davies. Just a lack of concentration, trying to get that

ball to Andy King who was on the touchline.

That was good work by Bas Dost, who - I wondered how he got in front of

James Chester so easily. Clearly, illegally.

The Welsh fans are enjoying themselves, despite the horrible

conditions. To be fair, Rob, the Cardiff City Stadium has filled up.

I wouldn't say it was half-empty when we were singing the anthems,

but there were lots of empty seats. But it's filled up since the start

of the game. Lawrence again, he holds off van Dijk. 21-year-old is

relishing this. Lovely bit of work by King, Lawrence red that one. Van

Dijk has to scramble back and concede the throw. That's what I

mean, he's got a good touch, he knows he's been pushed up, that

first touch is good, he sorts his feet out quickly. He has made a

bright start to this game, has Tom Lawrence. Van Dijk looks to be

having a few problems here. This is the Tom Lawrence chance from

earlier. That touch with the left foot. Van Dijk can't change

direction. He is going to his left and that touch just opens everything

out for Tom Lawrence. He probably had more time than he thought. He

probably could have had another touch and taken it closer to goal.

He decides to take it early and he didn't really get hold of the shot.

A comfortable save in the end. Ronald Koeman, the Southampton

manager, I'm sure will be concerned at Virgil van Dijk, who has been

impressive for the Saints since arriving. He is a player John

Hartson rates very early. He is still off and they are down to

ten men at the moment. Wales are trying to work their way through.

Danger here as Robben leads a counter.

Finds Bas Dost. Covered back by Ben Davies. Brilliant covering back by

Ben Davies, he spotted the danger, he spotted Robben. Dropped three or

four yards to his right, and he cut that ball out.

Up till now, it's been a typical Welsh performance. You can see the

confidence, even without Ramsey, Bale, Robson Kanu. We are missing so

much of an attacking threat, but I have been pleased with the opening

23 minutes. We have done well. We have grown into the game. With this

man making that run down that right-hand channel... Is that an

indication that Virgil van Dijk is struggling? There wasn't much effort

in that. Taylor is on the outside. He won't

get that. Once that ball bounces, it's poured with rain in Cardiff

today and that one bounced. There's only one place that ball is going to

end - that's going out for a goal kick for the Dutch. There's the

Dutch manager, Danny Blind, a stellar career as a player. But

having to cope with the big disappointment, unlike that man, who

will be in France next summer. Let's have a look at Chris Gunter. I

thought it was a poor, late challenge by Terence Kongolo. I

imagine the referee perhaps thought it was the conditions and he Plaid

the advantage. It is slippery. A mistimed challenge.

You would have made that challenge, Iwan Roberts! I would have gone in

with my head, not my feet! A waste of a throw-in. Wesley Sneijder,

another Dutch legend. That's outstanding. Determination,

grit, watching the ball, making that tackle his. Everything that you want

your player to do. 28 international goals, Arjen

Robben. This is Sneijder. He is no slouch in that department, on 29

international goals, from midfield. That is not bad, is it? Not bad at

all. This is his 120th cap. Janmaat, of Newcastle United, back

to the Bayern Munich flyer. Promes had gone beyond offside as

well. He'd gone slightly early, but Ashley Williams, once again, he knew

he was the last defender, he knew that he could hold his ground and

then that meant that Promes had gone slightly early, he knew he was going

to be caught offside. Brave defending by the captain once again.

Just one defeat in ten for Wales. That came in Bosnia.

The night Wales qualified, ironically, as Gareth Bale said,

"the best defeat ever!" And the defeat prior to that, was

2-0 to the Netherlands. We have been good at home as well, Rob. We

haven't lost in our last eight home games. We are growing in confidence.

And you can see why... That was sloppy from Chester. Robben could be

away here. Robben shoots! Just a little off the mark. It's that

sloppy pass again. They are trying to force things. Just keep the ball.

You can't make mistakes like that. You can't give the ball away as easy

as what we did then. OK, we are fortunate because we have two

defenders back. Had it been a one v one situation, he might have

punished us. You have to take care of that football.

This is Chester, who made his debut in that friendly against the

Netherlands in Amsterdam. The pitch will inevitably be

difficult, given the rain we have had in Cardiff over the last 24

hours or so. Manchester United fans know Blind

can play almost anywhere. That was a friendly pass rather than a

competitive pass. The Crystal Palace number one now

hammers it forward. That really is good. Hunting in

packs. Neil Taylor, Jonathan Williams, Joe Ledley, putting

pressure, winning the ball, forcing a mistake. Great pressure by those

three. So much space on the left-hand side

for Neil Taylor. He loves to get forward, Neil

Taylor. It is easy from our vantage point, isn't it, high in the heavens

here at the Cardiff City Stadium? You can see everything.

Possibly the closest to heaven I'll ever get!

It just squirmed wide. What a good impression Tom Lawrence is making.

Once again, it is clever movement by the young man. It's a good,

well-timed run. He leaves van Dijk and all he can do - it is not an

easy chance for the young man. He has to cut it across that six-yard

box. It's a cross-hit shot. It is a shame no-one had read what he was

going to do and was following that shot in at the back post.

Hal Robson Kanu will be shuffling uncomfortably at the way Tom

Lawrence has been playing. At the minute, he's been outstanding,

probably the stand-out player for Wales with his movement and his

awareness, as I have said, making good runs, keeping defenders on

their toes, and he is up there on his own. It is such a difficult job.

That was a vital touch from Andy King of Leicester City. How well are

they doing this season? Williams was looking for Gunter.

Dost has scored! Wales lacked height at the back and the Netherlands made

them pay. It was a lovely move down the middle. Janmaat made the run and

it is a goal from Bas Dost. We were talking about his aerial ability. He

starts the move. Williams is sleeping down the left-hand side,

that enables Daryl Janmaat to make that run. I thought he was going to

shoot. It is a lovely ball. Dinked to the back post. As you should do,

big Dost, he heads it down. He gives Wayne Hennessey an opportunity, but

on this slick, wet pitch, as soon as it bounces off that pitch, it is a

hard one for Wayne to save. Bas Dost, and a good chance for him to

score, and he wasn't going to miss that one. It's such a rare

occurrence for Wales to concede, but they are behind. Williams just gets

caught sleeping. He doesn't open his body out. He can't see the whole

picture. Taylor can't make anything of the

ball out wide. Heads into the cameraman. He has to get the weight

of pass right. We have spoken about how wet this pitch is. The weight on

that ball through, especially when it is lifted, it's got to be

perfect. The Dutch fans may be a little wet

and soaking, but they are enjoying this as the Netherlands look to

start their rebuilding for the World Cup and Robben is on the ball again.

Davies with a vital interception. Wales are on the rack. It needed it.

That vital interception by Ben Davies otherwise Robben was in for a

second. We need to rally now. We need our skipper, Ashley Williams,

the organiser, to tell players to calm down.

Hennessey has hit it so far, it is easy for Cillessen. Wayne needs to

take more time there. He spotted Lawrence, he's been picked up by two

defenders. We are under pressure, just keep hold of the ball, roll it

out to your defenders, let us get a bit of possession.

Promes was offside on one occasion, but he does make effective runs

beyond the front men Robben and Dost.

The Netherlands have lost four of their last six games, but they have

made a solid start here. Robben has gone through the middle. Hennessey

had to be out quickly. Well done, Wayne Hennessey. Great starting

position. It's a good ball by Sneijder. Robben

got the wrong side of both Ben Davies and James Chester, but

fantastic goalkeeping by Wayne Hennessey. This is testing times for

Wales. They trail to Bas Dost's first goal for his country. The rain

teems down at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Robben has been really busy, he's led by example, the captain. He

doesn't stand still, he is always moving, so hard to pick up.

Nine minutes to go in the half. And Chris Coleman has a good few things

to think about. Lawrence is the outball. Full of

confidence, but runs into Bruma. That is where we need to get support

up to him quicker. He has three defenders picking him up, he has to

be all on his own, that is nearly impossible. As I said, without Bale,

Ramsey, Robson Kanu and David Cotterill, all four who accounted

for the goals in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, the big

question was always going to be, where would a goal appear from for

Wales? I have to say, he's created two opportunities himself tonight,

has Tom Lawrence. Just the end product, the shot on goal, hasn't

been up to standard. But his general play has been outstanding. Williams.

Sees a little opening. Sometimes you need a player to stand still and

give it to him. All Gunter can do is relieve the

pressure momentarily. That is not the worst ball I have ever seen

going into a six-yard box by Janmaat. Just the one real target

for the Dutch, that was that man, Bas Dost once again. Had they had

more bodies in there, that could have been number two. One is enough

for the Dutch at the moment. You have to say they are good value for

it. They are. They are. They haven't created too many chances, but they

have had the majority of possession. I still maintain just the one lapse

of concentration has cost us. They have looked the more threatening,

Rob, haven't they? They seem to have found openings easier to engineer

than Wales. Yes. When you have the likes of Sneijder and Robben, you

know, absolutely world-class players, then that was always going

to be the case coming here tonight. Over 200 caps between them.

Sneijder took a knock then. There didn't seem too much wrong with the

challenge that Joe Allen put in. He did look accusingly at Allen. The

ref has had a word in Joe's ear as well.

He had to check his run. That ball has to be played into Neil Taylor

five seconds before it has. Neil made a terrific run down that

left-hand side, but the lads were slow in getting the ball out of

their feet and getting it wide. Danny Blind, the Dutch coach, said

he wanted to make his side better defensively. Wales have had to work

hard to even hint at a threat. Lawrence brings in Allen. Chester

managed to get there. The referee is unimpressed. Dost sends Promes over

halfway. Wales have people back now. The

Netherlands will have to start again.

I'd like to see Jonathan Williams starting a bit further up, giving

himself a bit more space. He is dropping a bit too deep for me. He's

probably the one playing in that Aaron Ramsey role. At the minute,

there is too much of a gap between the midfield players and Tom

Lawrence. Will this inhibit Chris Coleman's capacity to make

substitutions, Iwan Roberts? I don't think he's that keen to make

substitutions in all honesty. I think he will make a few tonight

because it's a friendly. He wants to have a look at players who haven't

featured as much as they would have liked in the qualifying campaign.

Lawrence felt he was bundled over there by Daley Blind.

You want to test yourselves in these friendlies. We have four friendlies

before we fly out to France. You don't want easy games where you are

winning comfortably. You want to test yourself and that's what

picking the likes of Holland, that is what is going to happen. They are

a very talented side. But what you don't want, you don't want to lose

heavily. You want to stay in the game, you want to try and create

that chance that we might be able to take if it comes our way, get back

in the game. Especially with two-and-a-half minutes, three

minutes before the interval. Keep your shape now. Don't make any silly

mistakes to give the Dutch an added advantage. It is vital they don't

concede again, Wales. They have been disciplined. They have been opened

up once. And Bas Dost will remember this stadium for the rest of his

life. That was his first international goal.

Some people might think that Wayne Hennessey might have done better. I

think the only excuse I would give him is this wet surface. He did make

good contact with his header, did Bas Dost. It was a perfect ball for

him, wasn't it? Come and attack it! It was asking to be headed home.

Yeah. There he is. 6ft 5in, made every

inch count! Sneijder turns. Promes has drifted offside. Promes

has found a good position here. Hennessey is tested. That would have

been a mountain to climb for Wales had that one gone in. It's good

passing, and Robben in the heart of things, him and Sneijder. Quincy

Promes hasn't scored for the Netherlands. He had one arm up then

thinking he had. Ben Davies did everything correctly. He closes him

down. How many times do you see forwards shooting and it goes

between a defender's legs and it causes the goalie problems? Luckily

for Wayne Hennessey, that was straight at him.

A difficult half coming to a close for Wales.

They have had glimpses of the Dutch goal. Can they get one here? He is

putting himself available every time we have been in possession. Too many

times tonight, we haven't spotted that run that Neil Taylor has made

on the left-hand side. He has been such a winning run. We have to seek

is runs earlier in the second half. This would be a great time for Wales

to equalise. Jasper Cillessen plunges it away, and Davies is on

the deck. -- punches it away. May get one last chance, Wales. Are

they going to win another corner? They will, if there is time. Good

ball by Neil Taylor. Put it into an area causing problems.

Allen takes the Welsh corner. Last chance of a replay in this half.

Williams gets the header. It is a penalty! Handball. Davies had the

volley. I think it was Kongolo who put his arm up. What a bonus this

could be for Wales. All that I will say, there are not too many

complaints. He is having a word with the referee, but the culprit,

Kongolo, a yellow card. What a chance this is now. Joe Allen has

never scored for Wales. But he has taken responsibility air. Taking his

time. Saved by Cillessen, but Ledley tips it in! Joe Ledley! He doesn't

dance that time, but he has set the crowd dancing and he spares the

blushes of Joe Allen. The Crystal Palace midfielder reacting first and

he made no mistake with the follow-up. Wales are back in the

game on the stroke of half-time. Not the best penalty I've seen in my

life by Joe Allen. He wanted it, we put it down. Didn't take much of a

run. A good height for the goalkeeper. All credit to Joe

Ledley, following in. He wanted the rebound more than anybody. He makes

good contact. He gets his left hand to it, but there was enough power on

the shot to bring Wales level. A dramatic finale to that first half.

Joe Ledley's first goal for five years in a Welsh side. That man,

Dost, had given the Netherlands the lead. There he is. He is a

trendsetter now and he will be a Giroux in the half-time break for

the Wales fans. -- he will be a hero. Leslie Snyder is complaining

bitterly to the fourth official as he is walking off. -- Wesley

Sneijder. He is not happy with the penalty decision. Arjen Robben has a

wry smile at what has happened. Half-time, Wales-1, the

Netherlands-1. A pretty dramatic end to that half.

The Netherlands completed their preparations for last summer's World

Cup by beating Wales 2-0. Wales gave a good account of themselves that

night but they lacked any cutting edge. This same story tonight. It

was the last time before tonight's match that they were without errors

bail and Aaron Ramsey. Tonight, Wales have lacked the quail of

Gareth Bale and Aaron Lenzie. -- Aaron Ramsey. The match that showed

that the Netherlands have had all the possession. We always knew that

would be the case. Wales are going to Euro 2016 and the Netherlands are

not, that is the most important thing. But a disappointing first 45.

The fans are delighted that Wales have scored. It was a tough game.

Very difficult conditions for the players. It wasn't brilliant, but we

defended quite well. We looked fairly solid throughout. Arjen

Robben is a big threat, a quality player, but overall I thought we did

OK without being sparkling and at our best. We have two of our top

players missing. It is an opportunity for other people and

some of the boys have stepped up well. When you are playing the

Netherlands, you know they are going to have a lot of the ball and you

have to change your tactics or put up with it. It is a typical

international friendly. Holland have had a lot of the possession, but

they haven't really penetrated us. Getting the goal in the end shows

that we deserved it. Will Wayne Hennessey be wondering whether he

should have done better for the Dost macro goal? I think so, because he

is a top-class keeper. He might be a bit disappointed. Arjen Robben was

involved in the play. There was a lucky ricochet, but he was pulling

the strings. Jonny Williams switches off a bit. They have got one player

in the box, all those Welsh defenders. We would expect to do

better with that. Disappointing. He allows Dost to get the header. It is

a difficult one, he had it down, which makes it difficult for the

keeper. Not enough to keep out the goal. First international goal for

Dost. He took it well. Indeed, unmarked in the box, and he put it

in the back of the net. We will be disappointed with the depending on

that side. We could have done better. From your time with Wales,

you know that Chris Coleman and you work time on the pitch on

organisation and hard work. We have looked solid and resolute tonight.

The defence has been good, looking solid. Arjen Robben is the one

threat, looking to run beyond, he is keen for them. Overall, we defended

well. That isolated incident cost us. Good pressure from Wales at the

end. Is it a penalty? I think it struck his hand. They are

complaining bitterly that it wasn't intentional, but a good header by

Ashley Williams, getting up well, very aggressive in the air. And he

certainly put his hand up. I don't think they can have too many

complaints. He is quite close, but his arms are up. A decent strike

from Ben Davies, isn't it? The lad put his arms up in the air, but it

was moving quickly. They will think it is not a penalty, but it

definitely is. Joe Ledley finished well. Joe did something you

encourage all midfielders to do, to get in the box. You have to follow

in, all the time. A decent strike for the penalty, but Joe Ledley

followed in and got us the game. Joe Allen looked remarkably confident

when he stepped up for the penalty. He did, he had to step up for a

penalty and the best players in the world miss penalties. He made a good

save, the keepers, and Joe Ledley followed in. Arjen Robben is getting

booed here this evening. He is at the heart of all their good play,

really. Wesley Sneijder has been fairly quiet, but Arjen Robben has

been excellent. He is looking to run forward. Dost is never going to run

in behind. A lot of the impetus is down to Arjen Robben to do that. He

is the main threat, right at the heart of all of their good play. He

is so direct and aggressive. When you think that he hasn't been

playing a lot of football lately, he has looked very sharp. How do you

stop somebody like Robben? Do you man mark him and lose a man to play

against him? We will look to defend better against him in the second

half and we will go into it confident. We picked out Tom

Lawrence before the match this evening. How impressed have you been

with his first 25 -- 45 minutes? Very impressed. It is a difficult

role, isolated. Good support for him could benefit him. He has really

taken to that role. His movement here has been particularly good. He

is looking to play on the shoulder, which is important for that role.

Joe Allen, great pass and a fantastic touch with his left foot.

Unfortunately couldn't put it away. He has to stay high up the pitch and

make sure we have got that threat in behind. When he has done that, he

has but a few good chances. I'm sure Chris will be pleased. What was

impressive about that last clip is the way that he holds the ball up as

well. Of course, I know that better than anybody else in this team, you

have to be able to hold the ball, limit the play and bring other

players in. The chances he has had, Bo... When he looks back at the

highlights, it is a remarkable first touch. A fabulous first touch that

set up the opportunity. It was on his left foot. Great play from Joe

Allen initially, but he is so clever and bright with his movement. He

could have taken it on inside again, but he took the shot early and

didn't quite get hold of it with his weaker left foot. Would you have

taken it? Of course, he could have taken another touch to take him into

the box and put it away. Big game for Wales this afternoon for the

U21s against Armenia. It has been an excellent start for the European

Championship campaign for the U21s. Geraint Williams's side unbeaten in

the last 21 matches. Wes Burns fail in the area and a penalty the

result. Ellis Harrison of Bristol Rovers, the man who stepped up and

stroked it home coolly. Wales almost doubled their lead in the first

half, Declan John of Cardiff City with some excellent work on the

left-hand side, setting up Pat Burns who was inches away from making it

2-0. It was Armenia who scored next, Wales failing to deal with the

corner and the shot heading past the goalkeeper. Geraint Williams's team

were not discouraged and they came close again. Wales had to work hard

at the back, with skilled field midfield work by Armenia almost

leading to another goal. Just as Wales thought they would have to

settle for a point, Harry Wilson made amends for his earlier miss and

struck home a late winner. 2-1 for Wales, and they are now top of the

group. It is an important three points. The lads dug themselves out

of a bit of a whole. In the first half, totally in control. If we had

kept that possession and been a bit more clinical in the final third, we

could have had a good win. I thought we were very poor. -- in the second

half. Here is the Wales U21 table. Romania have been beaten by Denmark

3-0. Lots of other football this weekend. Some very big games in the

European Championship qualifying play-offs. The latest from

Bosnia-Herzegovina, in Wales's group, 0-0 against the Republic of

Ireland at half-time. Our graphics team struggling to keep

up with the pace of today's game! Wouldn't it be wonderful if the

Republic of Ireland could join us in Euro 2016. It would be great to see

them there. They have it tough to night. Are you surprised that Bosnia

give -- Bosnia-Herzegovina are still in there? They quality team. They

took points of us in the group and they are showing what they can do.

It will be tough for Ireland but I'm sure they can do it. You know Chris

Coleman well. What will he be saying now? He will be reasonably pleased.

Keep going with more of the same. A bit more penetration up front, we

are looking for. We have defended quite well. Hopefully a bit more

going forward. Would you expect to see a lot of changes? Not

necessarily at half-time but during the second half. A lot of game time

for people. A few tired legs out there, because the pitch is very

heavy. Let's hear from Ian Hunt. I am here with Barry Pawn. Your

assessment of the first half, pretty dramatic stuff. As international

friendlies go, that is about as friendly as it gets. The Netherlands

putting it all into the game. They were shaky at the staff full -- at

the start. Tom Lawrence has been a real bright spot for Wales. Then the

Netherlands took control, I felt. What is worrying for them is that,

if Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are the two players they are trying

to phase out, they are the best two players. The goal was mostly

created. Wales will be disappointed with the defence. Then Wales came

back into it. I think it was a penalty, most referees would give

it. They are all square. A really good 45 minutes. Tom Lawrence

definitely be bright spot from Wales, but some lovely football from

the Dutch. Good to hear from Barry Horne. Lots

of great sport to come over the next few weeks on BBC One.

Some great sport coming up over the next few weeks. We are delighted

that Kit Symons is with us this evening. I'm pretty sure he would

have been here anyway if he was still in charge of Fulham. We were

all saddened to hear you have lost your job at Fulham, yet you had been

on such a good run. Just a bit of inconsistency, to be there. We had

some great results and then a disappointing one. But of a mixed

bag. Disappointed with the way it has finished, but I walk away with

my head held high, proud of what I have done for the club both on and

off the pitch. You played for them, you coached the youngsters and you

have been in charge of the first team, does it all feel a bit final

for you? It is the end of my time with Fulham, certainly for the very

near future anyway, without a doubt. It is disappointing. I have got

great memories of that club. I walk away with my head held high. When

you were 2-0 down against Reading and you won that Game 4-2, I

honestly thought maybe you would still be in charge. I would have

thought so. We followed it up with a 4-1 win against Bristol City but

then we lost the two games after that losing to Birmingham last

Saturday. It is a tough call but this is how football is these days.

We said about Chris earlier, he got given time and he has shown people

what you can do. I will dust myself down. Are you available in France

next year, if Chris needs you? Yeah, I have got my boots! I wasn't

talking about playing! Always available. Play is due to restart

very shortly. Let's rejoin the commentary team.

And a change for Wales. It is James Collins on for Ashley Williams. And

the Dutch are going to make a change as well. Replacing van Dijk is

Veltman. Van Dijk took an injury in the first half. We saw him

struggling a little. So Joel Veltman slips into the heart of the Dutch

defence. James Collins returns to the line-up for Wales. It's been a

long old time, and it's great he will be part of this one. Finally

reaching a major tournament. Fair play to Chris Coleman, taking his

captain, Ashley Williams... Put under a bit of unnecessary pressure

by the likes of Garry Monk and Tony Pugh list in the week, with some of

the comments they made on players playing in this type of frenzy,

which are hugely important for Chris in the lead up to France. -- this

type of friendly. All credit to Chris, keeping people on the right

side, good relationships with club managers. That is what it is all

about. Garry Monk will be pleased that Ashley Williams is having a

well-deserved break. He has been phenomenal. C and Wales. He, Chris

Gunter and Wayne Hennessey played every minute of every qualifier. He

will be happy to come off! I didn't say he would be happy, I said Garry

Monk will be happy. Garry Monk will be delighted. A massive game for

them coming up a week tomorrow. Yes, Bournemouth. As Jonny Williams takes

a tumble, takes the free kick quickly as well. It will be

interesting to know with Ewan Roberts... Oh,! That was high from

Wesley Sneijder, but Allen didn't complain. I wonder what you think

Chris Coleman said to be team at half-time. The way we played in that

first half is probably the way Chris sent them out to play. That is how

we play, and that is probably how we are going to play in France, because

we will come up against some very good side who can hurt you if you

throw too many men forward. We kept our shape, we were solid

defensively, caught out once by a lack of concentration. I don't think

he will be too downhearted with that first half performance. He will be

delighted to be going in level with that equaliser in the very last

minute of that half. I don't expect too much to change in the second

half. We will get men behind the ball, we will try and frustrate the

Dutch, and hopefully we can hit them with a bit more quality going

forward. Good save by Hennessey! Had to react quickly. The two Dutch

masters, Sneijder and name 20 player, -- Robben, are their two

best players. Terrific save. A real grapple going on in that penalty

area. I don't think he spotted the main one, actually. That was Bruma

and Chester. Getting to know each other just a little bit better. I

don't know how good James Chester's Dutch is.

Ledley has joined an elite band of Welsh players who have scored

against the Netherlands for Wales. Jonathan Williams did very well to

win the ball. He carried it forward. Both Chris Gunter and Tom Lawrence

have made terrific runs down the left-hand side. He has to release

the ball slightly earlier. If we could switch play from right to left

and left to right quicker, I think we will catch this Dutch side. Wet

turf at the Cardiff City Stadium. The fans are keen. They are a big

part of the Welsh success, the supporters. There is a real

connection between the Welsh team and the fans who are so loyal to

them. I can't wait to see thousands in France next summer. We have

waited a long time to see the success of reaching a major

tournament for the first time since 58. A big part of it. Robben has

wriggled his way through again. 20 of red shirts back this time. --

plenty of red shirts. Clasie, with an easy header away for Collins. You

need those up! Lawrence does all he is expected to do in that position.

Ledley had to be strong flare. -- had to be strong flare. Plenty of

space down the Welsh left-hand side. The back five of the Dutch are

pushing up very high. There is space to drop that ball in behind them.

Joe just spotted that slightly earlier. Maybe that is a tactic they

could use as this game goes on. Only mark Bowen and two goals from Dean

Saunders. They are the only other scorers against the Netherlands in

the history of meetings between these countries. Dean Saunders got

two. The Southampton manager has been

mentioned as a possible contender for the Dutch job. There is some

talk that, if Danny Blind fails here, his job prospects could be

affected adversely. Joe, why didn't you pass it to your right hand side?

I think he has got too many options. In the end, he has a heavy touch

which allows Daley Blind to go out and get a clincher for the Dutch. It

is really open, Rob. The referee, Benoit Bastien, deserves some

credit, because he has let things go. He isn't a fussy referee, which

you tend to see at international level. Good spot for the handball.

Trying to threaded through to Lawrence. Good play again by

directory. Tried to play the advantage but there wasn't one to

have for Wales. He has called over Robben and Sneijder. Autographs?

They have always got a lot to say. When you have played in the games

and won the trophy is that those two have, I suppose they are entitled to

a word in the referee's air, as long as it is in the right manner. Wesley

Sneijder is only one behind the Dutch record. That is held by Edwin

Balthasar. This is his 120th appearance here tonight. -- Edwin

Van Der Saar. The Dutch qualify for European cups

on a regular basis, and that is something that we have to do,

qualify for the World Cup in Russia, be consistent. The likes of Chris

Gunter will soon not be off 100 caps.

Oh, a beauty! Arjen Robben! He wants to lead the Netherlands comeback,

and he is leading by example here. Raced away and tucked home goal

number 29 for his country. You have seen him do it over the years. A

great run down the right hand side. Then there is only one thing he

wants to do. Was he offside? Maybe by half a yard. Ben Davies, show him

on his right foot, don't let him cut inside of his left. That's what he

wants to do. Once he has that ball on his left foot, you are in

trouble. Time and time again, we have seen it in the back of the net.

A great goal by Robben, but I wish Ben Davies and forced him to go down

the line onto his right and crossed that goal. He is a quality act, you

have to say, Arjen Robben. And he scored in the last two appearances

against Wales. As Joe Ledley makes way. It is a debut for Emyr Huws.

Sorry, not a debut, a fifth cap for Emyr Huws. He plays the Huddersfield

and he will slip into that midfield. I have got a lot of friends in

Huddersfield who go to the games and they sing the praises of this young

lad. Made a great start, scored something like four goals in his

opening matches. He has a good stature, he likes a goal. He timed

his run into the penalty box. He will have to be a bit more

disciplined tonight, though. They like their Welsh internationals at

Huddersfield. They have had a Jew, haven't they! Steve Jenkins was a

Welsh international at Huddersfield. -- they have had a few. Steve

Jenkins was the manager at Merthyr Tydfil, of course. Good work by

Jonny Williams. By the way. A great effort by Chris Gunter. He has

changed a lost cause, Chris Gunter. I think we have got to be really

careful now that we don't chase this game and leave ourselves exposed

defensively. Through men forward willy-nilly trying to get the

equaliser... There are plenty -- there is plenty of time left. Keep

your discipline, keep your say. Well done, Ben Davies this time.

There was no way on this planet that he was letting Robben get that all

back onto his left. He was forcing him down onto his right foot. -- get

that ball back. So Wales trailed 2-1. You wouldn't say they are out

of it. Chester is not happy with that pass. I think he expected Tom

Lawrence to stand back into the defender, so he could play the ball

into his feet. Young Tom had seen a gap down the right-hand side for

Wales and he expected Chester to put the ball into that area. Just not on

the same wavelength, those two. After this friendly, Wales go into

international hibernation, like the rest of the nations. A big date on

December the 12. Yes, that is the draw for the European Championships

it was Kongolo who slid in Wales are opened up yet again. That is the

danger when you go chasing. The Dutch have pace and quality they

never substitute coming on. Nearly grabbing a third had there been a

Dutch player in the six yard box, by the back post, it could have been a

flat in. Jonathan Williams makes way for George Williams. A big night for

him. He has been sidelined with an injury. Last appeared on a football

pitch in March against Chesterfield. He damaged his cruciate limit -- he

damaged his cruciate ligament. Part of his comeback is another Wales

cap. Once he has had the opportunity to come off the bench for Wales,

great balance, loves running at people, twisting and turning, but he

had been sidelined with a horrific injury. Glad to see he is back of a

fully fit. Hopefully he can now find the form that he had before the

injury. What about Jonathan Williams? He is

young, he will learn. If you are given a job, you have to stick to

it. You cannot let people overlap you. He has been neat and tidy. He

has not played as well as he is capable of. James Collins big left

boot behind it. Wales was struggling. He is everywhere at the

minute. Dropping deep. He is in the left. Considered Bayern Munich were

not keen on him to play and he will not play against Germany in the next

friendly... He really is anxious to make an impression. He has had his

injury problems as well, Arjen Robben. That is what you get, an

athlete like that, so quick. You get these muscle strains and they do

take a while to come back. Well, I thought Tom Lawrence was

impeded there. The arm came out. He got his body in front of him. Good

pace by Lawrence. The coaches are watching with

interest. It was George Williams, what an impact that would have

been. The smallest players in the Welsh squad sliding in in the six

yard box. Great play down the right-hand side. Great ball in.

Slight deflection from a Dutch defender. Had George Williams left

it, Neil Taylor might have scored. But Williams in the six yard box was

never going to let it happen. He saw the goal but could not quite direct

the ball on target. That would have been a collectors item had Neil

Taylor got there. His last goal was for Wrexham in 2010. Good memory! I

was there. Good memory and good prep.

In have lost shape slightly. Looking

for the goal. We have got sucked into an open game which will suit

the Dutch with the pace they have got. Plenty of time. We will create

a couple of opportunities. We just have to make sure we do not concede

again. However we do it, I am looking at the outfield for Wales, a

good shape about them, working as a good shape about them, working as

asides defensively. The Welsh subs are lining up.

They need to keep possession for a while. A chance for the two Welsh

substitutes. his country. Not as country by

birth, he was born in Tennessee. A proud moment for the young man. Neil

Taylor was outstanding. He has not had as much of the ball as he

deserved the energy and runs he made. Lawrence is still full of

running two. He wins the free kick. Giving players an opportunity and a

chunk of time, not the odd couple of minutes, five minutes here, plenty

of time to make an impression. Players are vying for a place in the

squad for France. 24 players are used in the Euro is. You would think

every play we have seen tonight is having a good chance of being on the

squad for France. He knows the starting line-up, if everyone is fit

he has a good idea of what a squad of 18... Will we get someone who

breaks through, Tom Lawrence who has every chance after this performance

tonight. Wales have conceded twice in their

last seven matches. They conceded twice tonight.

Best performer so far, Tom Lawrence. I think so. He was decent against

Andorra. This is a different kettle of fish, to do it at this level

against these types of defenders. He has given them a torrid time with

his pace and movement. The Dutch haven't qualified but it is possible

Wales could be drawn against a team and not as good as the Netherlands

when they go to France. They draw on December 12 in Paris. Late

afternoon. I am sure you will be there. Never take anything for

granted. Chris Coleman is going. A few others as well.

Lawrence, you could see what he was trying to do. I think it is the

wrong side for Lawrence. His left foot, the defender will come in and

put the challenge. Adam Hanley needs to play to his right foot so his

body protects it from the challenge. It is a beauty! What's an important

substitute. He will remember this moment for the rest of his life Emyr

Huws! We took the corner nice and early. A

great header. A great ball in as well. We have spoken about the

strength of Emyr Huws when he makes runs into the penalty box but you

have to keep your head. That is what the young Welshman does. A fantastic

header. No chance for Silloth on in the Dutch goal. A terrific goal. For

the Wales team, they lack their best quality players but they do not lack

anything in heart and determination and togetherness. And that takes you

along way, togetherness and team spirit. Everyone going in the right

direction. They have grown up together, they are good friends,

they love being in each other's company. And once again they show

the character you need to come back. That is twice now in this

game, having gone behind to sloppy goals. The man who replaced the

goal-scorer gets on the goal sheet himself. Emyr Huws. Fantastic

header. Really good move. Chris Coleman will be happy.

Why didn't you shoot? Very unselfish by George Williams. He spotted the

run of Lawrence. Just keep the discipline, lads. Keep

your shape and backs of five. Not for the first time in the last year

or so, the stadium is bouncing again.

There was no danger that time. He is making some great runs. Three or

four in the second half. He is running from deep, Joe Allen

goes... They have to give an early shout to Collins or Chester. What a

moment this is as well. He has waited for so long, six years

he has been in squads, a loyal loyal attender of Wales games. He is also

a dab hand on the guitar. He is a great lad. Pure Welsh speaker. He

deserves these next 20 minutes with time added on. I am delighted he has

been given the opportunity to win his first cap. He will treasure this

for the rest of his life. Owain Fon Williams of Inverness Caledonian

Thistle. What a great moment for Owain Fon

Williams. And what an atmosphere in the stadium. He has turned up

religiously. Knowing best he will be on the bench and will not get on

unless there is an interest -- injury to Wayne Hennessey. He has

been rewarded for it. 15 minutes to go. I said at the start there are no

friendlies any more. They are warm up games. This has not been treated

like a friendly other than the substitutions.

This friendly has been anything but that's! As the Dutch rebuild, you

have to say there is something vibrant about this young Welsh side.

It is a young side. It goes to show the strength in depth in the Chris

Coleman squad. He has some tough -- tough decisions to make until

December 12. The young lads have come on and started the game and

caused a big impression. It was always going wide. Andy King

and Lawrence in support. The Dutch have been pegged back

twice by these never say die approach from Wales. A great

atmosphere as well. Some fans... He made a great start of the season,

some quality goals, Davies. He has presence about him. And the way he

makes those runs into the box, he is hard to pick up. He is a powerful

lad. Great great header. It really was. Textbook header.

Inside the last 13 minutes. And there is plenty to like about the

Welsh performance. They have been tested defensively, no doubt.

And the Dutch look slightly nervous now. They are the ones that have

slowed the tempo down. They know what a big game this is for the

manager. If the Dutch were to lose tonight, this would be his last game

in charge. 13, 40 minutes to go, there is a nervousness creeping into

the Dutch play. Extraordinary turnaround. They almost thought once

Robben gave them the lead that they would not give up. He put it wide.

He has got to score. Chester doesn't deal with it at all. He throws his

body and hope more than anything. Hoping that will be enough to stop

the shot from Robben hitting the target. And it was.

45th cap for James Collins. He could make a 50. How old is he? Early 30s.

32, James Collins. They are not finding their passes,

the Dutch. Collins knows he will start on the bench even though we

play with central defenders. It will be an injury that enables him to get

more time on the pitch and more caps. If we play with three, Chris

Gunter fitted in the three... Richards is injured at the moment.

Adding to the list of people. Sam Vokes we haven't mentioned is

missing. A big chance for Arjen Robben. He

strikes again. Twice Wales have recovered but Robben is determined

to have the last word. They were exposed down the middle. Williams

was powerless to stop Robben. Just when I said the Dutch were looking

nervous! A great ball in between Collins and Davies. Davies is too

far afield than he should be. He was missing that one. That is his 30th

international goal. Sloppy defensively from the Welsh point of

view. Chris Coleman would be happy with that. No pressure on the man

who had the ball threaded it through. How an Arjen Robben got

himself in between Collins and Davies, a couple of yards and you

can read the past coming in. He is number nine in appearances and the

goal-scoring charts. Bruma was trying to plead innocence.

Unconvincingly. So, Tom Lawrence stands over this.

Collins and Chester are up from the back. A picture of concentration.

I think you tried to do the Cristiano Ronaldo bit. He got hold

of the shot but not on target. We have been brilliantly defensively

but we have looked dangerous going forward, especially in the second

half. They are sloppy at the back. You don't normally say that about

the Welsh side under Coleman. Another feature of the Wales

campaign, the anthem sung by the fans, when the going gets tough.

Never forget the night against Belgium. Here at the stadium. The

anthem was sung by the fans inspiring the Welsh side to hold on

to the lead. Passionate stuff, wasn't it? June 12. A special night,

that was. Does the second-half show how

important Ashley Williams is? It probably does. He is the

organiser. He is the voice, the leader in the

back. The organiser. And it is always hard as a defender when you

come on, easier for a forward. Here comes Clasie.

The fans are having a good time. Despite the scoreline. Still hoping

there is one last twist in the tale. Ready to make another substitution,

the Dutch. Yes, Bazoer is ready to come on. Janmaat again, down the

right side. Collins, safety first, thumps it away.

He is going to replace Jordy Clasie of Southampton, who has been quietly

effective. Another young 19-year-old coming on now for Holland. Yes,

debut for Bazoer of Ajax. The last three or four minutes. Of what has

been a very entertaining encounter. Not going the way of Wales at the

moment, but there have been encouraging elements. Dost was

looking for a second goal there. He started it all. Robben scored

twice, then Emlyn Hugh pulled back the scored twice. -- Emyr Huws. We

have been sloppy tonight, but what we have shown is that we have got

players are coming that can score goals and create chances. A mistake

by Davies, and Robben up for a hat-trick. It must be a nightmare

for defenders, seeing Robben running at you!

Danny Blind, Daley Blind's manager and father, will be, I think,

relieved by this, as much as anything. He is under big pressure.

The Dutch don't expect to not qualified for European

Championships. It is the first Euros since 1984, and, of course, they

finished third in the World Cup. They finished runners-up in the 2010

World Cup. Since 1992, seven of the top ten placed World Cup sides have

failed to qualify for the Euros. It will be strange not seeing them at

the Euros, with the players they have got. They would be down for

long. No, they won't. They have got too much talent in their club sides

in Holland and, across Europe. They have got a young squad. It is a

transitional period for them and their manager. They won't be down

for too long. I have said it before, it is quite possible that Wales will

face inferior opponents in France. Huws has made a big impression as a

substitute. A goal he will never expect -- forget. And Lee tried to

control it with his shoulder, may just have done enough. -- Henley. He

looks appealingly at the referee's assistant, who looks unimpressed. If

he had stayed on the touchline, he could have taken it on his chest,

but he comes five yards in field, the perfect pass. Because Henley has

come inside, he is stretching to keep the ball in play. Of those

Quincy Promes, and this is Georginio Wijnaldum of Newcastle. Six goals in

the north-east in his opening 12 games. Mind you, for those were

against my, Norwich. The worry for Wales is that he has scored in two

of his last three away games for the Netherlands. He has still got time

here. Three minutes of added time. Three minutes for Wales to recover

for a third time. That would simply be extraordinary, but you never

know. They are in the right half, although that might change quickly.

The crowd is 25,699, and that is almost double the attendance that

was here for Iceland, the last friendly at this stadium. Very

respectable crowd on a horrendous night in the capital. Oh, a mistake!

A big mistake by Jeffrey Bruma. And Wales have a corner. We scored from

a corner in injury time in the first half. Can it happen again? We scored

from a corner in the second half, too.

Allen took the corner. Collins was the target, just taken off the top

of his head, but he was fouling anyway. He went to get more hike in

his job, James Collins, but raised his elbow. -- more hike in his job.

He started as a striker at Cardiff, James Collins. As a lot of strikers

bit older, their legs get weaker. He was a goal-scorer in that friendly

against Iceland that we were talking about. That was his last goal for

Wales. He scored three times. There is about a minute left for one of

these Wales players to make a difference again. So, overall, Ewan

Roberts... It looks like defeat. What have you made of it? It has

been a really good, entertaining game. Yes, some sloppy defending,

lots of things we normally do, we are normally solid defensively, but

we have scored two good goals, Joe Ledley with that rebound on that

missed penalty from Joe Allen, and then Emyr Huws scoring a fantastic

goal with that header. Maybe one last time for Williams to move

forward, just as it was in the first half.

Allen tried to turn. Lawrence was there as well.

The final whistle goes. Defeat for Wales, but Chris Coleman won't be

too downhearted. He has learnt plenty tonight. Most of all, maybe

he has learnt that the Dutch haven't looked bright for Euro 2016, and

just as well. But Wales will be there. Joe Ledley put Wales back in

the game with a late equaliser in that first half after Joe Allen's

missed penalty. But two goals from Arjen Robben in the second half

proved decisive for the Netherlands. Not least because the youngster,

Emyr Huws, made a big impression as a substitute by powering home his

first goal for Wales. Ewan Roberts. Some good performances. Roberts

starting for the first time in a Welsh shirt tonight. Very

impressive. Cause problems on his own. It is a tough job against

defenders. He got hold of the ball, showed good movement and good

running. You shoes came on, score one. We were coming into this game

without four big players. Attacking players. We have scored two goals,

created chances against a good Dutch side. OK, they haven't disqualified

-- they haven't qualified for France in the summer. I am disappointed

with the aspects of some of our defending but, overall, I am going

away satisfied. So let's get a view from pitch side. We are with one of

the goal-scorers, Joe Ledley. Joe, you are not used to losing at

home, Wales. It has been two years since you were beaten here. What is

the feeling at the end of the game? Obviously we are gutted with the

result, but we are missing key players. I thought we put in a good

performance. They are a good team. Some defensive errors tonight. Would

that be fair to say? I'm not sure. I haven't seen what was going on in

the second half. We need to play a bit better than we did and,

hopefully, on another day, we would have got the result. The pitch

didn't really help that much. A lot of players slipping. We just need to

be better at home. Your goal got Wales right back into it on the

stroke of half-time. Absolutely delighted. I happened to scored for

a while for Wales. I was happy to get on the scoresheet. To get a

result, we need to move on quickly and look forward to the next match.

We saw the Ledley dance as well, the celebration. Arjen Robben, very

difficult to play against. He is world-class. We could have a

hat-trick. It is hard to defend against someone like that, and that

is what he's up there with the best winners in the world. Great to be on

the pitch with and hopefully we can learn from this. Thank you.

So often, these international friendlies at this stage of the

season are pretty drab, but not this one. Very entertaining, settled by

the class of Arjen Robben, you have to say, but Wales were the

architects of their own downfall. Pity poor defending all round. Tom

Lawrence showed a bit of class tonight. Joe Ledley is absolutely

right, no doubt that they missed the class of Gareth Bale. Any side with

Aaron Ramsey. I'm done by this man, Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich. --

undone. Wales beaten by 3-2. The Dutch had a lot of the ball. Wales

created some chances, but not enough to see off the Netherlands. Let's

talk to Ashley Williams, the Wales captain. Thank you for joining us.

Your reaction to this defeat. Obviously, it is not nice to lose,

especially at home, but I think it was worthwhile. We learnt a lot

about some of our guys. We performed well against a good team. I don't

think we deserved to lose, although we didn't have much of the ball. I

still think that we performed well and it was a worthwhile exercise.

This is very much squad mentality. Important that some of the fringe

players got some time today. Definitely. I was impressed by a lot

of players, especially Tom Lawrence. George Williams came on and did

well, Emyr Huws. The guys that don't get to play often got a chance to

run out. It was a proud moment for the guys on the pitch. What will you

be saying in the dressing room now? It was important... Before the game,

I said it was important that we tried to keep our momentum going.

That is not just in our result but in the manner of our play. I think

we did that. It was a difficult game, with a few players out. The

gaffer had a chance to look at some of the other guys. We come back in

in the next friendly in March or whatever it is and pick up where we

left off. Top man. Good luck for Swansea on Saturday. Ashley

Williams, live from just outside the Welsh dressing room. You have to

admit that Wales were undone by the class of Arjen Robben. It was a

difficult pitch. He seemed to glide over the surface. The exploited it.

We were undone, as you say, we created our own downfall, because we

got the equaliser. Difficult to get back into it, and then Emyr Huws

scored. You said, it looks like we are going to win. It did look like

that but we had to stay defensively solid. We may have switched off

towards the end. Robben is a world-class player. How many coaches

around the world have said, don't give Arjen Robben any time on the

ball? It is that time on the ball in that space in behind. He is very

experienced, getting on a bit, but still lightning quick. It comes from

our throw in. Suddenly, he has got space in behind. " As to whether he

was offside, but give him that much grass and he will be exploiting it.

-- a close call as to whether he was offside. Bodies back behind the

ball, but we think we are safe. A great finish, from their point of

view. The uncharacteristic for us. Still a great finish, isn't it? How

many times have we seen him do this? The key is to keep him onto his

right foot. Then tried his best, but he is a world-class player. -- then

tried his best. What is the mood in the dressing room? Disappointment,

naturally. In some ways, it shows how far we have come to lose against

Holland three - two and to be that disappointed, especially after

coming back from a goal down at 2-1 down. But a player like Robben can

do that to you. And a team like the Dutch. There are positives that we

will take, I am sure. It is good preparation for next summer. You

will take, I am sure. It is good your finger on it. You can't give

the likes of Arjen Robben that much space in and around the box. No, he

is lethal. He has been for years. He is world class. We will be

disappointed to concede any goals, especially with our record. Slightly

disappointing, but that is international football for you. What

about the character of the site, to come back twice in that match? Yes,

I think we have the type of players in the squad that have got that. We

never give up, we have a never say die attitude. Just a shame that we

didn't hold onto that draw. But a great group of players here. Team

spirit is fantastic. The setup is perfect. We will have learned a lot.

Thank you for joining us. A big night for Joe Allen because, no

doubt, we need to find out whether he will feature in Jurgen Klopp's

plans. On the evidence of the signal? What do you think? Very

good. He was very good tonight. I'm sure he will impress Jurgen Klopp

and get his way into that squad. With players like Joe Allen, we want

all our players to play as high as possible, it is important Joe Allen

stays at a club like Liverpool. It is, because he is worthy of that

level. He is a top player, hardly ever gives the ball away. His ball

retention is exceptional. He worked his socks off for the team, a real

team player. He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body. He

epitomises the spirit we have got in the Welsh camp. A fantastic headed

goal from Emyr Huws. I think that he will remember it for the rest of his

life, his first international goal. Joe Allen, a short corner. He is not

marked. Great movement in the box. Four people, he sneaks in right

behind them, arrives in the box and scores. Fantastic. Terrific header.

He came through the ranks of Manchester City. He did. A bright

young talent for them. He is at Huddersfield now, a good

goal-scorer. Good goal from him tonight. Let's look at Arjen

Robben's winner. This reminded me of you, that goal you scored against

Cyprus. At the beginning, we thought, he is going to go round him

here. Yet, he has a lot of time with the run. In the end, he slotted by

the keeper. A simple finish, but he is patient. World-class.

Defensively, Wales all over the place. A little bit. We were looking

to try and score the winner. The boys have broken forward a bit too

soon, really, and you can't give him that time and space stop

uncharacteristic defending from Wales this evening. It was a bit,

but we will be disappointed with all three goals. We have been so tight

defensively, done a lot of work as a team, so a bit sloppy from us. But,

overall, I think Chris will be delighted. He has got an awful lot

of positives out of it and it was a decent performance. We ended up

losing because we went to try and win the game. That shows, after all

the changes, all the players missing, how good we are. There were

glimpses of Dutch brilliant this evening. Does it make it even more

baffling that they haven't qualified? Of course, they have

world-class players. But you have two apply yourself week in, week out

at any level, especially international. At the end, they

haven't qualified, and we have. We talk about the team spirit that we

have got, maybe that is what we have, that is what they are lacking.

They have got the players. We have really got ourselves going by this

team spirit. But the Dutch have never had a great team spirit, in

the build-up to a World Cup or European Championship. They have a

great history of the European Championship. Something always

happens in the build-up. They do love a drama! Certainly seems to be,

but maybe they were better before and they could carry that. Danny

Blind is the coach and you have got somebody like Ruud van Nistelrooy on

the bench as well. Quite crazy that they haven't qualified. It is. They

are a good side. People like Robben, he was the difference tonight. It

will be interested to see how they are against Germany this week,

because he was their key player. A big day for Welsh football today,

because the U21s two, Armenia. An excellent start to the European

Championship campaign for the U21s. Geraint Williams went into this one

unbeaten after qualifying matches. It took 20 minutes for them to take

the lead in Bangor. A penalty. Ellis Harrison of Bristol Rovers, the man

who stepped up and stroked it home coolly. Wales almost doubled their

lead in the first half. Declan John of Cardiff City did some excellent

work on the left-hand side, setting up Burns, who was inches away from

making it 2-0. But it was Armenia who scored next, Wales failing to

deal with the corner. Their player headed past goalkeeper Billy

O'Brien. Terrence Williams's team were not discouraged, and

Liverpool's Harry Wilson, who has senior squad experience, came close.

Wales had to work hard at the back, with skilful midfield work from

Armenia almost resulting in another goal. Just as Wales thought they

would have to settle for a point, Harry Wilson made amends for his

earlier miss and struck home a late winner. 2-1 for Wales, and they now

sit top of the group. It is an important three points. To be there

to be lads, they dug themselves out of a bit of a hole there. First off,

totally in control of the game. If we had kept that the session up and

been a bit more clinical in the final third, we could have had a

good win. But second half, I thought we were very poor. Quite similar to

Wales's performance here. Nevertheless, they are top of the

table as it stands, Denmark beating Romania 3-0 earlier today. Let's

bring you up-to-date with the other international matches tonight.

Hungary beat Norway last night in the Uefa European Championship

qualifying play-off. The Republic of Ireland roaring in Bosnia. They now

have a great chance of making one of the play-off places. -- roaring in

Bosnia. France have just beaten the world champions, Germany, bike 2-0.

Let's hear from the Welsh manager, Chris Coleman.

Wales don't have much luck against the Dutch, do they? Your assessment.

Of course, Holland didn't qualify, and a lot was made of that. Whatever

team they play, they are going to have very good players. We saw the

world class of Arjen Robben tonight. But you are always disappointed to

lose, but I thought we were all out of the game, in terms of the lot of

our lads who have not been playing at big clubs, one or two coming back

from injury. I was happy with the way we went about it. I thought that

our fans were fantastic. The second half, we were trying to score, we

opened up and they don't pass on a couple of counterattacks. We got a

lot out of it. You must have been disappointed defensively, Chris. If

we defended every game, we are going to play like the ten games we

defended in the campaign... It is nice, but that isn't football.

Sooner or later, you will be up against a good team and they are

going to open you up and you concede. So we will go back and, the

next time we play, the next time we come together, we will work on the

things maybe we didn't do as well as we have been doing tonight. But you

are not going to get a positive result every time. You are going to

concede goals sooner or later. You have to be realistic. Overall, I

can't say I am disappointed with the players. We were up against a tough

team. Almost a wounded animal, they are very much rebuilding. A good

performance by Holland. But not too shabby by us also. For periods in

the second half, we were trying to get in behind them and hurt them. We

were a bit rusty in certain areas because a lot of our players haven't

had minutes on the pitch, and they needed that night, but overall, it

was a worthy performance from the lads. Hard luck.

I suppose, in many ways, when you listen to Chris, the Dutch haven't

qualified but that is the type of class they will come up with against

France. That is right. They are a very good side. But we are missing a

lot of players. We are disappointed not to get anything out of the night

with all those players out. That shows how far we have come. When you

take Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey out of the squad, it has a massive

impact. It is like taking Arjen Robben at that team today, Wales

when it 2-1. All of our staff know how important that game was today.

It was important for players to get minutes on the pitch. What will

Chris be saying in the dressing room? It is important and we will

take a lot of positives from the game. The manager and we will have

learnt a lot. Moving forward, losing to Holland three - two, we are

disappointed, it shows how far we have come. What about you? People

like Tom Lawrence are stepping up to be played. George Williams, Jonny

Williams... Looking good for the future of Welsh football. You will

be back in two or three weeks after your injury. I will. Good luck.

Wales, beaten by the Dutch masters. But there is still half a year away

before France. Good night. I'm here today to tell you

the truth. Are you sure you want to continue

down this road? Lots of people think they have

nothing to lose. They just haven't thought it

through. You have the very particular stink

of a man out of his depth. You blunder further into a situation

you simply do not understand.