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Huntelaar stars as Dutch hit four
Huntelaar chips in his second goal as the Dutch ran riot in Dublin. DUBLIN, Ireland -- Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar capped a memorable debut with two goals to hand the Netherlands a 4-0 friendly victory over Ireland. Huntelaar also set up another goal as the visitors dominated from the start and repeatedly tested a shaky Ireland side missing some experienced players. The Dutch's persistence was rewarded in the 25th minute when 23-year-old Huntelaar deftly headed in a lofted corner. He then went on to intercept a poor back pass from Stephen Elliott to set up his country's second goal for winger Arjen Robben in the 41st minute. Irish manager Steve Staunton, whose side face Germany in their opening European Championship qualifier next month, made four changes at half time to test some of the newest additions to his squad. Although the Irish stepped up the pace, they failed to halt the visitors. Huntelaar delivered the third goal in the second half after Rafael van der Vaart powered through the Irish defence before crossing square to the Ajax striker -- who chipped it past replacement keeper Paddy Kenny. Arsenal's Robin Van Persie made it four in the 71st minute, the first time Ireland has conceded four goals at home since a 4-1 defeat to Denmark in 1985.
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