Players' reaction: Perhaps it's just as well Ruud van Nistelrooy is wallowing alone somewhere in the international wilderness. On his day he'll rouse, rile and dismantle any defence, not least one weakened by injury like Steve Staunton had to contend with last night.

However, it was his imposing replacement, the debutante Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who ably provided the firepower. The Ajax youngster outfoxed and flummoxed the home rearguard throughout on a night which proved ridiculously disappointing for Staunton's, albeit injury plagued and consequently fledgling, squad.

Had Huntelaar his exiled compatriot for company, well . . .

Both the Netherlands and Germany embrace a similar footballing philosophy and the visitors last night certainly made Ireland look ordinary. That, of course, will inevitably happen when you see so little of the ball. Not much on offer then to rouse the spirits ahead of the daunting Stuttgart trip in a fortnight. Lambs to the slaughter?

"We know we have to put things right in the next few weeks," conceded defender Andy O'Brien. "In many ways it was unfortunate tonight was not a competitive game as that always raises the game. But it's important we pick up points now in Germany.

"I've played over 300 games for club and country and I've had disappointments before. But the true test is how you deal with setbacks, not dwelling on them. We will have three Premiership games between now and the Germany game and hopefully we will be more composed."

Huntelaar, having peeled off his marker for Robin van Persie's floated corner, headed home unmarked midway through the first half. Going. Minutes before the break, his smart back heel into Arjen Robben's path saw the Chelsea man slide through a dishevelled rearguard and dink past Paddy Kenny. Going. Huntelaar and Van Persie's second-half efforts completed the rout. Gone.

Still, the second half, once Staunton peppered his line-up with youthful exuberance, afforded a teasing glimpse of the future. Can young cubs, like Aiden McGeady and co, edge their way into the team in a fortnight?

"I'm not even considering that," the dejected Celtic player said. "I can't quite put my finger on it. In the first half we afforded them far too much space. We created chances in the second half but left ourselves with too much to do. I'll wait and see about Germany but hopefully I'll make the squad."

Kevin Kilbane, who started on the left wing before switching to left back in the second half, admitted the home side afforded too much space to their visitors and cited the experimental formation in the opening spell as a reason why Holland lorded possession.

"We allowed them do what they wanted to be honest," he said. "But we must block an obvious disappointment out of the mind as quickly as possible. We simply must be better in Germany. The new lads got a taste of what good world class teams can do."

Dutch captain and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar conceded the fact Ireland were missing so many key players, but rather ominously for Holland's group opponents, noted, "So are we."

"It's a nice feeling," he said. "It's something of a new start for this Dutch team and we used the space well which I think was difficult for the Ireland team sometimes."

Considering Germany were 2-0 up at home to Sweden inside nine minutes, eventually winning 3-0, Stuttgart is a prospect that doesn't augur well. Much can still tip the balance somewhat in the interim. Staunton will pray his injured stars recover quickly, while also hoping the opening Premiership games prove forgiving for the rest.