SPORTS

Dutch beat Norway 2-0 to maintain perfect record

June 11, 2009 10:08 IST

Andre Ooijer and Arjen Robben scored to earn the Netherlands a 2-0 home victory over Norway and maintain their perfect record in World Cup qualifying Group Nine on Wednesday.

The Dutch, who booked their place in next year's finals on Saturday, went close to opening the scoring in the first minute and had to wait till the 33rd before Ooijer nodded in a free kick from Rafael van der Vaart.

Norway's only chance came just after halftime but Maarten Stekelenburg saved a shot from Morten Gamst Pedersen and a minute later Robben settled the match with a tight angled shot after good work from Van der Vaart and Robin van Persie.

The Dutch top the group with 21 points from seven matches. Scotland are second with seven from five and Norway stayed bottom with three points.

"When you consider our opponents were battling for their last chance and we only gave away one chance, and kept our concentration until the end, we did very well today," said Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk.

"But our game is still improving. We know that we have sufficient creativity up front to be decisive, but as a team we are getting better when we lose the ball."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email