The Netherlands marched into the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 with a 100 percent record in Group C and their momentum intact after the Oranje reserves strolled to a 2-0 victory over Romania on Tuesday.
A poacher’s goal from Klaas Jan Huntelaar just after half-time and Robin van Persie’s late strike sealed the win over opponents woefully lacking in ambition.
Needing to win to be sure of staying in the competition, Victor Piturca’s side’s only concern appeared to be to avoid the kind of mauling the Dutch had handed out to France and Italy in their first two group matches.
Piturca denied that he had been too cautious in his approach to a must-win match against a Dutch side missing most of its first-choice players who were rested with the team already having qualified for the quarter-finals.
“I think we took enough risks. There were moments when it was three against three at the back and against teams like the Netherlands you just can’t play this way. They can score at any time. If you let them score it is difficult to win — that is what France and Italy also realized,” he said.
Romania’s cutting edge was blunted by captain Cristian Chivu being forced to drop back into a holding role in midfield as a result of the serious eye injury suffered by team-mate Mirel Radoi in the 1-1 draw with Italy.
They were also missing suspended center-back Dorin Goian but there was no excuse for getting every outfield player regularly behind the ball as the Dutch probed for an opening.
The first of those came when van Persie mistimed his jump to meet Engelaar’s cross and headed over.
Adrian Mutu was denied by Wilfred Bouma’s block but it was the Dutch who were creating the clear chances.
Van Persie was off target with another header before Huntelaar, teed up by Boulahrouz, fired over from 12m.
Huntelaar did better a few minutes later, helping Demy de Zeeuw’s pass into the path of Arjen Robben with a deft first-time flick. With only Bogdan Lobont to beat, the Real Madrid winger went for an equally cute finish and his strike slipped just wide of the post.
Romania’s only real chance of the entire match came a minute from the break. Razvan Rat made it to the byline and cut the ball back for Paul Codrea, who blasted his shot over from just inside the box.
Lobont denied van Persie three minutes after the restart but the Netherlands’ superiority finally told in the 54th minute.
Ibrahim Afellay’s cross from the right was flicked on by Engelaar and Huntelaar demonstrated his predatory instincts by prodding in his eighth goal in 13 international appearances.
There was a brief flurry of Romanian pressure in the closing minutes but it was to be van Persie who had the final word, holding off Cosmin Contra’s challenge before beating Lobont at his near post.
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