AC Milan's Clarence Seedorf picked up a thigh injury and had to come off with quarter of ann hour remaining but Dutch coach Dick Advocaat is hopeful the setback will not have any impact on the player's availability in Portugal.

"He's feeling slight pain, but it doesn't look too serious and shouldn't effect Clarence's participation at the Euro," said Advocaat.

Despite the strike power of Manchester United hitman Ruud van Nistelrooy and Patrick Kluivert the Dutch were unable to break down the Irish defence, getting caught out by Robbie Keane's first half injury time goal.

The Tottenham striker picked up a pass froom Andy Reid and unhindered by the Dutch defence let loose a fierce shot which sailed past Fulham's Edwin van der Saar in goal.

In the second half, Advocaat replaced the two strikers with midfielders Andy van der Meyde and Arje Robben. Bayern Munich's Roy Makaay was also introduced in an attempt to break the Irish but despite dominating they were unable to find the equaliser.

This was the Netherlands' second defeat in a week, they were beaten by the same margin by Belgium in Eindhoven last Saturday.

The Dutch are in Group D in Euro 2004 pitted agaiinst the Czech Republic, Latvia and Germany, their first opponents. Advocaat's squad leave for Portugal on Tuesday.

For the Republic this was another positive performance after their win over Jamaica on Wednesday in the Unity Cup in London.

Keane said: "To score against one of the best teams in the world is good -- I was pleased to score -- but to win is more important."