Scotland's World Cup hopes suffer setback
Van Persie got the Netherlands' second goal before half-time
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Saturday, 28, Mar 2009 10:22
Scotland's hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa have been dented following a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Amsterdam.
First-half goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arsenal's Robin van Persie gave the hosts a comfortable lead before Dirk Kuyt rounded-off the scoring from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time.
The Dutch started the match slowly and an early chance fell to Kenny Miller. He latched on to a long ball but took too long over his shot, allowing Joris Mathijsen time to get a covering tackle in.
Scotland were left to rue that missed opportunity when the home side finally awoke from their slumber.
Mark van Bommel lofted a straightforward ball into the box where Huntelaar was lurking unmarked and the Real Madrid striker made no mistake with his header.
Van Persie doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, heading home Arjen Robben's corner.
Robben was the Netherlands' best player on the night and midway through the second half he produced a shot which curled and dipped but Allan McGregor did well to keep it out.
Soon after his save Scotland thought they had reduced their arrears when Gary Caldwell headed home Ross McCormack's free kick, only for the referee to rule it out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Scotland's despair was then compounded when the Netherlands were awarded a penalty Christophe Berra's trip on Huntelaar.
Kuyt stepped up to the spot and the Liverpool forward sent McGregor the wrong way to make it 3-0.
The defeat leaves George Burley's men on four points, level with Iceland in Group Nine. Macedonia trail them by one points and Norway are a further point adrift but both teams now have a game in hand on the Scots.