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The Netherlands maintained their 100% start to their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over Macedonia at the Amsterdam ArenA. Bert van Marwijk's team dominated first-half proceedings and took a 3-0 lead thanks to two first-half goals from Kuyt either side of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's strike.
Afellay came on a substitute
The Netherlands put their opponents under pressure from the first whistle. Former PSV midfielder Mark van Bommel's work rate was outstanding again as he often won balls. The game began at a high tempo and the hosts made an early breakthrough. Arjen Robben cut into the area after 15 minutes and fired in a low shot that Kuyt, who had got ahead of his marker, tapped home from close range. Ten minutes later Huntelaar doubled Holland's lead. Robben found the Real Madrid striker who created some space before cleverly chipping the ball over goalkeeper Tome Pacovksi into the back of the net: 2-0. The home side virtually put the result beyond doubt shortly before half-time. Wesley Sneijder played a long ball to Kuyt. The prolific Liverpool forward controlled the ball well before placing a low shot into the bottom tight corner.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, but Holland did not create as many chances. Substitute Van der Vaart completed the scoring in the 86th minute with a well-placed low shot on the turn; 4-0. PSV midfielder Ibrahim Afellay replaced Kuyt nine minutes from time, while his team mate Dirk Marcellis watched the game from the stand. The Oranje stay well clear at the top of Group Nine with five wins out of five games. Scotland recorded a 2-1 qualifying victory over Iceland and now occupy second spot with seven points from five matches. Bert van Marwijk's Netherlands are on the verge of claiming a place at the 2010 World Cup and a win at Iceland on 6 June would ensure official qualification.
