Dutch, Swiss share spoils

The Netherlands' big-name strikers failed to break down a resolute Switzerland defence as their friendly in the Amsterdam ArenA ended in a goalless draw. Robin van Persie has been in prolific scoring form for Arsenal lately but even his best efforts failed to breach the Switzerland defence and coach Bert van Marwijk's side had to settle for a draw. Switzerland keeper Diego Benaglio was also in fine from as he denied Van Persie and his fellow forwards on several occasions. Dirk Kuyt had the first effort of the game after four minutes, but the striker's shot from 25 yards was wide. Switzerland were awarded a free-kick for Edson Braafheid's foul on Gokhan Inler, but when the ball was crossed by Xherdan Shaqiri it was caught by Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Switzerland's Stephan Lichtsteiner was the first player booked for his foul on Braafheid. Inler then tried his luck from distance but his effort was off target. Benaglio then prevented Rafael van der Vaart from giving the Netherlands the lead as he tipped the forward's shot over the bar. The Keeper also denied Ryan Babel, parrying the striker's shot from the edge of the area. Switzerland had their own chances to score, Inler shooting straight at Stekelenburg from distance and then Fabian Frei volleying over the bar from close range following a corner by Xherdan Shaqiri. The Dutch hit back but shots by Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder were both off target as the home side continued to look for the breakthrough. Admir Mehmedi missed with a shot from around 12 yards as the visitors also failed to find the opening goal. Switzerland forced a corner two minutes before half-time but Shaqiri's delivery was cleared by Khalid Boulahrouz, leaving the game goalless at the break. Benaglio came to Switzerland's rescue again when he dived to tip a header from Van Persie around the post. Johan Djourou cleared the corner and another one was dealt with by Ricardo Rodriguez as the visitors continued to keep the Dutch at bay. Sneijder saw his shot blocked by Steve Von Bergen and the same player's corner shortly after found Van der Vaart, but he shot over the bar from the edge of the area. Van Persie and Kuyt both missed the target with shots around the hour mark, the former firing wide right from six yards and the latter missing left with an effort from distance as the home side continued to fail to make their superiority tell. With 25 minutes left, the Dutch made a change with Van der Vaart being replaced by Kevin Strootman because of what appeared to be a hamstring injury to the Tottenham player. Sneijder shot over with an effort from 25 yards before Switzerland forced successive corners which were cleared by Van Persie and Johnny Heitinga. Rodriguez was on hand again to clear a corner from Sneijder as the Netherlands' best efforts to open the scoring again came up short. Inler had a shot for Switzerland and Luuk de Jong also had an attempt for the Oranje but their efforts resulted in the same thing as they both cleared the bar. Switzerland's David Degen was also off target late on as the game faded out into a draw.