Amsterdam, May 26(Xinhua-ANI): The Netherlands was disappointed with a 2-1 loss to Bulgaria in Amsterdam on Saturday in the first of three friendlies before the start of Euro 2012 soccer championship.
Bulgaria captured the win in injury-time, handing the Netherlands its third defeat in the last five internationals and the fifth defeat under coach Bert van Marwijk.
Van Marwijk opted for Bundesliga top scorer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as central striker and gave Premier League top scorer Robin van Persie a right wing position. Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart completed the four attacking positions.
PSV defender Jetro Willems, who heard he was named in the final Euro 2012 squad earlier on Saturday, made his debut. The 18-year-old left back entered the top 10 of youngest Netherlands debutants in 10th place at the age of 18 years and 57 days on the day of the match. The last debutant who was younger than Willems was Gerald Vanenburg (18 years, 40 days) versus Greece in April 1982.
Just like the rest of the team Willems did not play well in the first half, with the Dutch creating little chances. The home-team lost central defender Joris Mathijsen, who was substituted by Wilfred Bouma, due to an injury.
Bulgaria was close to the opening goal when Valeri Bojinov hit the crossbar from a free-kick, but on the strike of half-time Holland found the net. Van Persie moved to the center and finished a pass by Sneijder in style.
In the second half Bulgaria equalized after a handball by Rafael van der Vaart, punished with a penalty which was converted by Ivelin Popov in the 50th minute. Despite the entrance of substitutes Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt the Netherlands was not able to conclude the meager performance with a win. Ilijan Micanski headed in Bulgaria's winner in injury-time.
On Wednesday the Dutch will be able to take revenge against Slovakia in Rotterdam and the last opponent before the start of Euro 2012 is Northern Ireland on Saturday June 2 in Amsterdam. The Dutch starts the tournament with the group match against Denmark on June 9, before taking on Germany and Portugal. (Xinhua-ANI)
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