Kees Smit Makes Debut as Netherlands Secure Win Against Norway in World Cup Preparatory Fixture

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman sprang a surprise by handing a first start to 20 year old AZ prospect Kees Smit for Oranje, mere days after his initial call up. Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners lined up as the Netherlands right winger on the teamsheet, while prolific Roma forward Donyell Malen led the line with Cody Gakpo.

Norway arrived missing Erling Haaland, who received a seven day break from coach Ståle Solbakken following a demanding fixture list. Jørgen Strand Larsen and Alexander Sørloth formed the front pairing, supported by Andreas Schjelderup and Oscar Bobb out wide.

The home side pressed Norway from the outset and generated the contests initial opportunities around the ten minute mark, as Cody Gakpo saw a pair of attempts repelled.

Andreas Schjelderup found plenty of room after evading Denzel Dumfries with deft footwork, allowing the Benfica wide man to bend a shot into the far corner past Bart Verbruggen and gift Norway an unexpected advantage in the 24th minute.

Koemans charges intensified their efforts shortly after going behind and promptly fashioned opportunity after opportunity inside the Johan Cruyff ArenA. Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen came near with strikes repelled by Ørjan Nyland, prior to Denzel Dumfries attempting to challenge the Sevilla custodian, only to collide with Wolves defender David Møller Wolfe.

Netherlands skipper Virgil van Dijk assumed control and levelled proceedings for Oranje via a dominant header during the 35th minute.

The Dutch emerged aggressively post interval, with Donyell Malen targeting Nylands net inside three minutes of the restart, yet directing the ball fractionally past the upright.

Gakpo intercepted to prevent Tijjani Reijnders from assisting Målen earlier, but the Manchester City player ensured Reijnders succeeded next time around when Denzel Dumfries located the unmarked no. 14 inside the area, from where he rifled beyond Nyland to complete a swift second period reversal.

As the 60th minute loomed, an odd passage unfolded over five minutes where Norway retained possession without interruption while the Dutch practised a rondo drill. It concluded without reward or even an on target effort for Norway, who introduced five of their permitted eight substitutions.

Brian Brobbey almost capitalised on his comeback following a 12 month layoff by meeting a Cody Gakpo delivery, though he just failed to locate Nylands target as the Netherlands and Norway entered the closing 15 minutes of their Amsterdam encounter.

Strand Larsen managed Norways initial shot in almost 40 minutes via a clever attempt, but that represented the entirety of their second half threat while the Dutch commenced their March double fixture with a 2-1 triumph.

Ronald Koemans squad face Ecuador next in a preparatory clash at Eindhoven on Tuesday, March 31st.