Netherlands dig deep to edge past Israel

Luuk de Jong's coolly dispatched penalty 15 minutes from time secured the Netherlands a 2-1 friendly victory against Israel to end the hosts' five-match unbeaten sequence in Petah Tikva.

As for Cor Pot's team, they racked up a seventh straight success thanks in part to Bram Nuytinck's opener seven minutes in. Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC forward Orr Barouch restored parity shortly after the half-hour mark before De Jong kept his composure from the spot to deny Guy Luzon's side a share of the spoils. 

The Oranje, who will compete in Group B at this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship, came racing out of the blocks and were almost rewarded for a pulsating start as Georginio Wijnaldum fired wide when well-placed in front of goal. His blushes were soon spared, however, as Nuytinck eluded his marker to power in Adam Maher's corner. 

Israel's response was spirited and it duly yielded an equaliser. Moanes Dabbur was the catalyst of a dizzying counterattack, skewering the visitors' defence to find Barouch, whose shot deflected in off Nuytinck. Optimism turned to disappointment 15 minutes from time, though, as Omri Ben Harush felled De Jong inside the area and the VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach forward converted the ensuing penalty. 

Israel: Kleyman; Azzam, Ben Harush, Gotlive, Davidzade; Golasa, Lugassi (Kriaf 46) (Abed 85), Kabah, Kalibat (Zaguri 75); Barouch (Sallalich 86), Dabbur (Altman 75).

Netherlands: Bizot; Leerdam (Bruma 46), Van der Hoorn, Nuytinck, Willems (Van la Parra 72); Fer (Duarte 72), Maher, Van Ginkel, Wijnaldum (Van Aanholt 72); De Jong, Boëtius (Wildschut 76).