Skip to main content

Rafael van der Vaart of the Netherlands celebrates his goal against Slovakia during their international friendly soccer match leading up to Euro 2012 in Rotterdam May 30, 2012.ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/Reuters

World Cup finalists Netherlands recovered from a loss to Bulgaria to defeat Slovakia 2-0 in an international friendly on Wednesday.

During a lively opening five minutes both teams came close to scoring when Marek Hamsik hit the bar with a header before Nigel de Jong headed a corner kick just wide.

A minutes later, the Dutch opened the scoring when a fine cross from Afellay was deflected behind his own keeper by Kornel Salata.

The Dutch had another injury blow, after Joris Mathijsen pulled a hamstring on Saturday, when playmaker Wesley Sneijder was replaced because of a sore ankle by Rafael van der Vaart.

Van der Vaart scored the second goal in the 76th minute after Klaas Jan Huntelaar had been stopped by two defenders.

Netherlands will play their final European championships warmup match on Saturday when they host Northern Ireland.

They play their opening Group B match on June 9 against Denmark. Germany and Portugal are their other group opponents.

Interact with The Globe