Van Gaal upset after Wales players Bale-d out of friendly

Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has sensationally slammed the Welsh squad selection, after star turns Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey were left out.

Van Gaal whose Clockwork Orange are odds-on at 1/4 to win the World Cup warm-up friendly, has spoken of his disappointment at facing “weaker” opposition.

“I have said to my board that they have to insist on playing with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

“I don’t know why, if it is injuries or holidays. When it is a holiday I’m a little bit disappointed but I can understand it, because Bale has had a very difficult and pressured season.

“It’s better that we have the best Welsh team because we need resistance and I think without these players Wales are weaker.”

The Welsh are also without Swansea defensive duo, centre half Ashley Williams, and left back Ben Davies.

Champions League winner Bale had originally been named in manager Chris Coleman’s original squad selection, though nursed a leg muscle injury for a few weeks. Ramsey, meanwhile, who recently won the FA Cup with Arsenal, will be rested for this match.

The Dutch still hold the record for the heaviest post-war victory inflicted on the Welsh, in 1996 after a 7-1 thrashing in Eindhoven. The Dragons are also yet to beat Clockwork Orange in a friendly, and as a result are 11/1 to do so.

It has been confirmed that Liverpool midfielder, Joe Allen be handed the captain’s armband, in the absence of Bale, Ramsey and Williams, and has had a respectable season under Brendan Rodgers, so will be an opportunity that he will relish. He is 7/1 with Coral to take his chance with both hands, and score at anytime in the Amsterdam Arena.

Doubts were originally cast on Robin van Persie’s chances of being fit for the World Cup after he missed the end of the domestic season with a knee injury. It doesn’t seem to have done him any harm, after netting two goals in as many warm-up friendlies. He is 9/4 to open the scoring against Wales, as he looks to continue his recovery.