"We managed the game very well," Bate told TheFA.com shortly after the match in the central Dutch town of Harderwijk.

"We always knew the Dutch would have more possession, which we were comfortable with, but we defended well with great discipline and we were particularly pleased to keep a clean sheet.

Dick Bate"The second half, after going two-up, we defended a bit too deep at times, but when we broke, we broke quickly, and despite sometimes wasting possession, we always looked comfortable."

The victory, over a strong Netherlands side coached by former Ajax, AC Milan and Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit, gives England a boost in their quest to reach the European Finals in Switzerland this July. And with plenty of options open to Bate, he feels his side are capable of achieving something this summer.

Bate added: "All in all it was a very good exercise and I'll be looking to use a similar combination of younger and more experienced players next month away to Germany before having to select my final 18 for the European Championship pre-qualifying tournament in Slovenia in April.

"When you've got the players of the calibre of Luke Moore, Grant Leadbitter, Scott Brown and Matt Sadler it shows we still have lots of options."