Oranje cut down by AzzurriItaly threw down a marker for next summer's World Cup finals with an excellent 3-1 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam. The Dutch impressed many when cruising to qualification through what looked a tough group and have been tipped by many to challenge in Germany next summer.
Italy, in contrast, were far from fluent in qualification, but they put up a bold show in Amsterdam to inflict a first defeat for the Dutch under Marco van Basten.
Both sides were refreshingly open in their play and Dirk Kuyt had a goal disallowed for the Dutch, while it was a similar story for Alberto Gilardino at the other end.
Feyenoord striker Kuyt was at the hub of the Oranje's positive play and he forced Christian Abbiati into an impressive tip over after linking up with Romeo Castelen.
The decibel level was raised in the Amsterdam ArenA on 38 minutes, as Ajax starlet Ryan Babel netted in front of his home fans. Babel was on hand to slam home at the far post after a Kuyt shot had been deflected into his path.
The Azzurri's response was impressive, with Gilardino heading home an Alessandro Del Piero cross on 40 minutes.
Italy moved into the ascendancy in first half injury time as AZ Alkmaar defender Ron Vlaar failed to deal with a corner and only contrived to turn the ball into his own net.
Vlaar is rated extremely highly in the Netherlands, but his miserable evening continued just after the break as he was shrugged aside by Luca Toni on 50 minutes and the Italian continued his hot streak in front of goal when prodding a shot past Henk Timmer who replaced Edwin van der Sar at the interval.
Kuyt attempted to pull the Oranje back into the game, but he saw a header cannon off the post and also sent an effort straight at Abbiati as the Italians claimed an impressive win over one of their World Cup rivals.
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This post has been edited by Duff on 13 Nov 2005, 14:27
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ჰოლანდიური ფეხბურთის ფანკლუბი, ტკბილო & მურაბა ხალხო აქეთ....
