FC Barcelona player Ibrahim Afellay bolstered his chances to be a part of Netherlands starting XI for the upcoming Euro championships with two goals in the 6-0 thrashing of Northern Ireland. Bert van Marwijk’s team was firing on all cylinders albeit playing against an average opponent who were without their key players in Amsterdam Arena. In their fourth and final warm-up friendly game, Afellay and company wanted to be in full form and ready for their opening Euro 2012 game against Denmark on June 9 in Poland.

The Dutch were 4-0 up by half-time with a header and a penalty kick from from Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, and a goal from Wesley Sneijder and Afellay each. The 26-year-old Afellay struck the net again in the second half and it was his corner kick that saw central defender Ron Vlaar head the ball into the net. In Netherlands’ second friendly against Slovakia, Afellay played 80 minutes and had a role to play in the first goal. It was Afellay’s strike that resulted in an own goal from Slovakia.

See Afellay’s goals and corner kick that led to the goal after the jump.

Video credit: ONS Oranje; Photo credit: REUTERS/Paul Vreeker/United Photos