Van Persie earns Dutch win against Ghana

Robin van Persie scored for the second successive friendly to earn the Netherlands a 1-0 win against Ghana.

Louis van Gaal reflected on an "emotional morning" when naming his final 23-man FIFA World Cup squad earlier on Saturday, but was soon given reason to smile in Rotterdam, Van Persie opening the scoring after just five minutes.

Though Van Persie, who will be working with Van Gaal at Manchester United FC next season, applied the finishing touch, he had the simplest of finishes after fine play from Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben. Van Persie, also a scorer against Ecuador earlier this month, now has 43 international goals.

Robben could have doubled the Oranje's lead seven minutes later but did not make sufficient contact with Daley Blind's cross from the left and scooped over the crossbar. The FC Bayern München forward passed up another clear opening when played in by Daryl Janmaat. This time, Ghana goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey made his presence felt and thwarted him.

The Dutch play a friendly against Wales on Wednesday and open their World Cup campaign against Spain on 13 June. Chile and Australia are also in Group B.