Holland captain Arjen Robben condemned Wales to only their second loss in 11 games with a second-half brace, but Coleman was satisfied with the attacking aspects of his side’s performance in the 3-2 defeat.
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After last week’s public disagreement with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over the fitness of Aaron Ramsey, Coleman reacted to comments from two other Premier League managers at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
The first was a brilliant individual goal, then after Emyr Huws thought he’d snatched a draw Robben struck again.
“The door is still very much open and in six or seven months a lot of things can change”.
Star men Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey are both absent, as are strikers Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes. We can not coast against anyone and the best way to be in that mindset is to stretch ourselves and test ourselves beforehand. He twice threatened to mark his full debut with a goal, cutting inside Virgil van Dijk and shooting tamely at Jasper Cillessen from Joe Allen’s pass, and dragging a shot wide.
Tom Lawrence stepping in for the injured Bale, missed two half chances on a lively first start for his country, but the visitors took a 32nd minute lead when Dost headed in Daryl Janmaat’s cross.
Chris Gunter will join Ryan Giggs as the joint-12th highest Wales cap holder with 64 caps if he plays against Netherlands.
Joe Allen’s spot kick was parried but Ledley followed up to steer the rebound into the far corner.
After the break, with Wales having subbed skipper Ashley Williams for James Collins, the hosts looked less assured at the back.
The Dutch certainly seemed to have a spring in their step and they underlined in on 55 minutes, a sensational run from Robben seeing him cut in from the right and fire past Hennessey, a terrific goal from a terrific player.
Wales had a warning when Hennessey stood tall to deny Robben but the the Wales defence soon allowed the Dutch skipper to get onto his favoured left foot and he buried the ball in the bottom of the net with unerring accuracy.
He made amends shortly after, however, as he beat Owain Fon Williams with a cool finish after an assist from Dost to make it 3-2 with his 30th goal for Oranje.
Coleman also revealed he has yet to speak to Welsh FA chief Jonathan Ford about extending his contract beyond the end of next summer’s tournament.
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Robben came close in the 27th minute when he curled his effort over crossbar but it was only five minutes until they took the lead.
