Arjen Robben double seals 3-2 win for Netherlands in Wales

Manager Chris Coleman has managed miracles to pull the Wales through to France and have become the 15th best worldwide side in the world according to the Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings.

“We were competitive. We used our full number of six substitutes and were still competitive”. Overall I’m not too disappointed.

Joe Ledley’s first-half goal was the first scored by a Welshman other than Bale or Ramsey since 13 October 2014.

But Wales had a great chance to take the lead in the 18th minute when debutant Lawrence beat Virgil van Dijk from Allen’s pass, only to shoot tamely at Jasper Cillessen.

Hennessey partially redeemed himself by parrying from Quincy Prowess and in first-half stoppage time Wales levelled, Ledley following up to score after Allen’s penalty – awarded for a handball by Terence Kongolo – was parried by Cillessen.

“There will be times when Gareth and Aaron are not going to be available”, Coleman said.

Swansea City defender Ashley Williams is expected to captain the side, while Chris Gunter, James Chester and Ben Davies could line up alongside him at the back.

Even in the loss, Wales should feel confident knowing that they were able to keep up with one of the best teams in world football, especially without their top two players.

“We saw in patches glimpses of frailty which we did not see in the campaign where we were rock solid”, Coleman said. “We never had weakness as a defensive unit”, said Coleman.

“It is not for anybody to suggest who global managers pick and how they play”. The game was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the Heysel disaster and play was briefly suspended in the 39th minute to mark those who died.

The Netherlands have a 100% record over the Welsh, winning five of the games on home turf and two away, scoring 21 goals compared to just three from their opponents.

Holland may not have qualified for Euro 2016, but their line-up possessed plenty of class and skills in the likes of Wesley Sneijder. It’s disappointing, but I can totally understand it. He’s at a huge club who are always competing for trophies, playing 50-55 games a season because of the runs they have in the cups, so something has to give.

“If every time I had a fall-out with players or my staff or someone, and we never spoke after that, I probably wouldn’t have many friends left”.

I still think we performed well and it was a worthwhile exercise.

Holland lost to Iceland, Turkey and the Czech Republic, which ultimately resulted in their failure to reach the finals, but it is also the form of certain players that have come under the microscope.