Van Nistelrooij proves his worth
Wednesday, 13 October 2004
[1] Ruud van Nistelrooij returned to the Netherlands team with aplomb as his two goals helped secure victory against FIFA World Cup qualifying Group 1 rivals Finland.
Astute finishing
[2] The Manchester United FC striker had missed the 2-2 draw with F.Y.R. Macedonia on Saturday through suspension - a result that Netherlands coach Marco van Basten deemed as "not satisfactory" even before that nation's defeat by Andorra today. But at the Amsterdam ArenA, Van Nistelrooij's astute finishing and the work of the impressive Wesley Sneijder brought the Netherlands to within two points of Finland and group leaders Romania.
Finland ahead
[3] However, on 14 minutes it was Finland who scored first with a move that started with goalkeeper Antti Niemi's kick. The ball went to Joonas Kolkka who unleashed a shot which crashed off the bar and with Edwin van der Sar left stranded, Teemu Tainio headed in.
Stinging shot
[4] After that setback, the Dutch had Sneijder to thank for getting them back into the game and ahead by half-time. The diminutive midfield player was involved in everything positive for the Netherlands, with his stinging shot crashing off the post on 20 minutes and then forcing a great save from Niemi six minutes later with a curling free-kick.
Game turns
[5] His hard work finally paid off six minutes before the break when, after Phillip Cocu's shot rebounded off the crossbar, he smashed the ball home from close range. And within two minutes, the Netherlands were ahead in identical fashion as Romeo Castelen's shot came off the bar into the path of Van Nistelrooij, who bundled the ball in.
Victory sealed
[6] The Netherlands began the second half with pace and purpose and sealed the victory when Van Nistelrooij struck again. Finland defender Petri Pasanen lost out in a tussle with Castelen, who managed to scoop the ball to Van Nistelrooij. The forward made no mistake from the edge of the box with a low shot that flew into the bottom corner of the net.
November encounter
[7] From then on the home side were comfortable. Van Basten's men can now look forward to a trip to Andorra on 17 November, knowing victory would take them above Finland with still one game in hand. Finland next play in the group in the Czech Republic on 26 March.