TONIGHT’S ENCOUNTER BETWEEN Ireland and Holland will be the 22nd time the teams have met in international football.

And while the two countries are certainly overly familiar with each other at this stage, that hasn’t stopped them producing a number of entertaining affairs from down through the years…

1. Ireland 2-1 Netherlands — 10 September 1980

With Eoin Hand having recently taken over, goals from Gerry Daly and Mark Lawrenson were enough to earn Ireland an impressive win, after Simon Tahamata had given Holland the lead.

2. Netherlands 2-1 Ireland — 22 September 1982

A first-minute Dirk Schoenaker goal coupled with Ruud Gullit’s 64th-minute strike saw Holland win, with Gerry Daly’s effort 10 minutes from time proving little more than a consolation.

3. Ireland 2-3 Netherlands — 12 October 1983

Gary Waddock and Liam Brady put Ireland ahead at Dalymount Park, but a brace from Ruud Gullit and a Marco Van Basten goal completed Holland’s comeback.

4. Ireland 0-1 Netherlands — 18 June 1988

Jack Charlton’s side needed just a draw to progress from their Euro 88 group, but Wim Kieft broke Irish hearts with a fortuitous 82nd-minute strike.

5. Ireland 1-1 Netherlands — 21 June 1990

A draw that was ultimately enough to send both sides through in the 1990 World Cup group stages, as Ruud Gullit’s 10th-minute opener was cancelled out by Niall Quinn’s opportunistic goal with just under 20 minutes remaining.

6. Netherlands 0-1 Ireland — 20 April 1994

A poacher’s finish from Tommy Coyne gave Ireland a confidence boost in Tilburg as they prepared for the 1994 World Cup.

7. Ireland 0-2 Netherlands — 4 July 1994

Ireland struggled in the heat as they exited the 1994 World Cup, thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk.

8. Ireland 0-2 Netherlands — 13 December 1995

A highly talented Dutch side proved too good for an ageing Irish outfit in the Euro 96 Anfield qualification play-off, with a young Patrick Kluivert getting both goals, ending Jack Charlton’s reign as Ireland manager in the process.

9. Netherlands 2-2 Ireland — 2 September 2000

Robbie Keane and Jason McAteer efforts put Ireland in control, but a late Dutch revival saw goals from Jeffrey Talan and Giovanni van Bronckhorst earn their side a point in this 2002 World Cup qualifier.

10. Ireland 1-0 Netherlands — 1 September 2001

What’s left to say about one of the most famous games in Irish football history? Jason McAteer’s spectacular finish enabled 10-man Ireland to claim an unlikely win, thereby paving the way for qualification for the 2002 World Cup, which Mick McCarthy’s side ultimately secured via a two-legged play-off against Iran.

11. Netherlands 0-1 Ireland — 5 June 2004

One of Ireland’s best results under Brian Kerr, even it was just a friendly, Robbie Keane’s stunning strike handed the Boys in Green a rare away win in Holland.

12. Ireland 0-4 Netherlands — 16 August 2006

The last time the teams met was an ominous sign of things to come for the Steve Staunton regime, even if it was only a friendly. A brace from Klaas Jan Huntelaar, as well as goals by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie completed a miserable evening for the Irish.

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