BARCELONA -- The Netherlands got their
World Cup campaign back on track on Saturday, beating Andorra
5-0 to earn three much-needed points in their European group two
qualifying match.
Second half substitute Pierre van Hooijdonk scored twice in
his first game for the Dutch under coach Louis van Gaal, whose
team still trail group leaders Portugal by three points after
the 5-0 win.
The Dutch have seven points from four games and are seeking
at least a draw in Wednesday's match against Portugal in Porto.
In the ninth minute, Patrick Kluivert headed home a Paul
Bosvelt cross, the 30th goal of his international career.
The tempo then slowed, with the Dutch waiting until the 36th
minute for their next goal. A Mark van Bommel shot ricocheted
back to the feet of Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who
easily converted to take them to halftime 2-0 in front.
Although the Dutch didn't try too hard -- Wednesday's
crucial clash no doubt in the back of their minds -- Andorra
never stood a chance, despite good performances by defender
Ildefons Lima and lone striker Juli Sanchez.
Van Hooijdonk had an impressive outing, scoring on the hour,
just two minutes after he had come on the pitch. He grabbed his
second, a superb left foot volley from a Philip Cocu cross, 11
minutes later.
"I wanted to give my international career an impulse and
with these two goals, I think I've succeeded," the Benfica
striker said. "I think my quality is well known... I hope I've
convinced the coach."
If Van Gaal repeats the two-striker format against Portugal,
Van Hooijdonk may well be the preferred choice, ahead of
Hasselbaink, to partner Kluivert up front.
The Dutch, in third place in group two after Ireland beat
Cyprus 4-0, need a draw or a win in that match after losing at
home to Portugal in October.
Van Gaal, while pleased with Saturday's victory, was giving
nothing away.
"Andorra has never lost by more than five goals. We got five
and are now the best goal scorers in the group," he said.
"I think I have to be satisfied. We put in a good
performance and we did what we promised... But every match is
different and every opponent is different."
He was certainly pleased with the performance of Barcelona's
Boudewijn Zenden, who had a particularly busy first half on the
right wing, although club team-mate Marc Overmars was
disappointing on the left.
Bosvelt, who set up the Netherlands' second goal, also
played well, but seems likely to lose his spot to regular
Michael Reiziger on Wednesday.
Edgar Davids came off at half time after injuring his knee,
leaving a question mark over his fitness for Wednesday.
Ireland crushes Cyprus 4-0
NICOSIA -- Ireland moved second in World
Cup European qualifying group two after a convincing 4-0 win
over Cyprus on Saturday.
Ireland and Manchester United captain Roy Keane sparked the
rout after 33 minutes as he volleyed home a cross by Leeds
United fullback Gary Kelly.
The lead was doubled two minutes before halftime, when Ian
Harte converted a penalty after Kevin Kilbane had been fouled by
Georgios Theodotou.
Michael Constantinou twice came closest to scoring for the
hosts, but his header was cleared off the line by Kelly after 45
minutes and he shot straight at goalkeeper Shay Given on 65
minutes.
Kelly made it 3-0 with a deflected shot from 20 metres after
80 minutes, then Robbie Keane saw his close range tap-in
disallowed after 86 minutes for a foul on Cyprus goalkeeper
Nicos Panayiotou by David Connelly.
Roy Keane rounded off a fine individual display on his 50th
international appearance by claiming Ireland's fourth goal one
minute before time.
The win left Ireland with eight points, two behind leaders
Portugal. whose next match is against the Netherlands on
Wednesday.
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