Two other Gunnarsson's Brynjar and Vieger started the game in Rotterdam, with the City midfielder reduced to a place on the bench.
He did come on in the 72nd minute with his country two goals to nil down thanks to goals from Mathijsen (14) and Huntelaar (64).
Michael Mifsud, however, played the whole of Malta's World Cup game with Denmark. Malta were beaten 3-0 in Copenhagen.
Youseff Safri,who captained Morocco scored with a 35th minute penalty against Mauritania.
Former Binley Woods resident Matthew Upson was in England's team which beat Kazakhstan 5-1 at Wembley. A good number of City supporters were in the 89,000 crowd to see all the goals in the second half with a brace from Wayne Rooney.
Wales without Freddie Eastwood beat Liechtstein 2-0 whilst Scotland could only draw 0-0 with Norway and Northern Ireland lost 2-0 in Slovenia.
In League One, Baz Savage scored for Tranmere Rovers in a 3-1 defeat against his former club Millwall. Jonnie Jackson netted for Colchester in a 4-3 defeat at Cheltenham.
There were bookings for Stephen Hughes in Walsall's 2-1 home defeat by Peterborough and Colin Hawkins and Adam Virgo in Brighton's 3-1 defeat at Leeds. Kevin Thornton played the whole game.
Danny Ireland made his debut for Nuneaton Town in a 4-0 win at Bromsgrove. Former Sky Blue U18 Chris Duggan was a substitute for Rovers.
BGB Southern League Midland Division leaders Leamington won 4-1 at Arlesey but Bedworth were beaten 3-0 at Romulus. Woodford United,who fielded a number of former Coventry Sphinx players were stuffed 8-0 at home by Sutton Coldfield Town.
In the FA Cup, Atherstone drew 1-1 with Chipstead but Rugby Town lost 2-1 at Bishops Stortford.
Nuneaton Griff beat Bartley Green 2-0 in a Midland Combination game and Coventry Amateurs drew 1-1 at Chelmsley Town Reserves also in a Midland Combinaton fixture.
There was a shock in the Coventry Charity Cup Second Round as Coventry Copsewood lost 1-0 at Folly Lane OB but Massey Ferguson are through beating Coventry Colliery 2-1.