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Four-star Dutch stroll |
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Holland made it four wins from four in Euro 2012 qualifying, with a handsome win over Group E rivals Sweden.
The Dutch were all over their opponents for large periods and could have added to strikes from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay, who both scored twice, on several occasions.
Instead Sweden's Andreas Granqvist managed to convert a rare chance to deny Holland a clean sheet.
Huntelaar's opener came when Rafael van der Vaart, a man revitalised by his move to Premier League side Tottenham, found him from the right side of the penalty area. Schalke striker Huntelaar did the rest, beating Andreas Isaksson from 12 yards.
The hosts continued to push for a second, Dirk Kuyt striking Wesley Sneijder's free-kick goalwards only to see Berang Safari block.
Sweden's Johan Elmander tried his luck from 25 yards but failed to work Maarten Stekelenburg, only for Sneijder to show him the way with a great effort from similar range. Only Isaksson's smart reactions kept the score at 1-0.
Van der Vaart was also troubling Sweden, who were looking to Ola Toivonen as their main outlet up front.
Kuyt was forced off the pitch with what looked to a painful ankle injury after only 28 minutes - something that will do little to raise Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson's spirits - paving the way for Jeremain Lens' introduction.
The home side pressed on and in the 37th-minute Sneijder set up Afellay, whose left-footed effort beat Isaksson for a second time.
Lens could have added a third moments later but headed over following more good work from Van der Vaart.
Toivonen tried to get the visitors back into contention early in the second period, but did not do enough to beat Stekelenburg from the edge of the box.
Holland soon reeled their opponents back in though, Afellay lifting the ball to Huntelaar at the near post, where he nodded in his second of the game after 55 minutes.
The duo were at it again three minutes later, this time Huntelaar returning the favour by locating Afellay, who finished emphatically with his right foot.
By now Erik Hamren's side looked ragged and only avoided a fifth goal when Isaksson smothered Lens' effort with his legs.
Granqvist notched a consolation with 21 minutes left to play when he got on the end of Seb Larsson's free-kick and Marcus Berg nearly reduced the arrears further only for Stekelenburg to step in.
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