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Holland Compete Despite Injuries
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Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar was one of 3 players withdrawn from the Dutch squad for this qualification double-header, alongside Marco van Ginkel, and Daryl Janmaat, who also watched the games from the stands, rather than participating.
Their replacements: Dirk Kuyt and Ricardo van Rhijn (van Ginkel’s injury came too late to call up a replacement) will be keen to show their credentials though, with time left to force their way into manager Hiddink’s thinking for the World Cup squad.
Holland XI to Face Romania
Krul, Blind, Douglas, Heitinga, Van der Wiel, N. De Jong, Clasie, Elia, Sneijder ( c), Robben, Van Persie
Subs: Zoet, van Rhijn, de Guzman, Narsingh, Braafheid, Depay, L. De Jong, Indi, Kuyt, Cillessen, Vlaar
Playing the 4-2-3-1 which has proved successful in parts of the friendly matches, the Dutch started slowly; Tim Krul forced into several spectacular saves in the first 10 minutes, as Romania pressed high up the pitch, pressurising the Dutch defence.
With 15 minutes played, an inconspicuous throw in from Daley Blind was knocked out to van Persie just outside the Romanian box, where he was dispossessed, and the chance seemed to have gone, but a mistake from Stanciu saw Douglas intercept just inside the center circle, where he played in Elia, who ran the ball to the edge of the area, lifting a gorgeous pass to van Persie, as the goalkeeper rushed from his line to meet the danger. Rather than go for glory, van Persie touched the ball into the path of
Arjen Robben, who swept it home to put the Dutch ahead.
Romania refused to be phased, and continued to press and harry the Dutch players, forcing them into silly errors, and not allowing them to develop a rhythm on the ball. They almost equalised after 30 minutes, but Tim Krul got down well to his left to smother the shot from Stanciu. The pressure was telling, but Holland held firm, and at half-time, it remained 1-0
Half Time: Romania 0-1 Holland
At half-time, Hiddink set his side out to play more defensively, switching to a 4-5-1, and bringing Braaffheid on for the booked Nigel de Jong, and Dirk Kuyt on to replace Elia, whose first half had been less than convincing.
Those changes didn’t do much for the quality of the game, until, after 70 minutes, a Sneijder free-kick caused chaos in the Romanian box, as it bounced off the crossbar, off Dirk Kuyt, and finally off Romanian defender Dan Nistoor to give Holland a vital second goal.
With ten minutes remaining, Hiddink brought off the tiring van Persie, replacing him with Luuk de Jong, who still has something to prove ahead of the World Cup in the summer, although he never really had any time to make a real impact today, his movement for those last ten minutes caused a real headache for the Romanians.
Full Time: Romania 0-2 Holland
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Robben (15)
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Nistoor (71)
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Tim Krul (7.9)
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Chance: Memphis Depay was handed his chance to shine against Hungary
Holland welcomed Hungary this evening, with a largely unchanged side: Memphis Depay replaced the unconvincing Elia on the left wing, and Luuk de Jong started up front in place of Robin van Persie, amidst rumours that the Manchester United man picked up a knock against Romania.
Holland XI to face Hungary
Krul, Blind, Douglas, Heitinga, Van der Wiel, N. De Jong, Clasie, Depay, Sneijder( c), Robben, L. De Jong
Subs: Zoet, van Rhijn, de Guzman, Narsingh, Braafheid, Elia, van Persie, Indi, Kuyt, Cillessen, Vlaar
Holland started quickly; Blind linking up with Sneijder from the left wing, before playing a lovely ball into Luuk de Jong, who silenced his critics with a beautiful finish which looped over the goalkeeper, and the flailing Hungarian defender to nestle in the back of the net after just 4 minutes.
3 Minutes later, Holland went 2-0 up, Sneijder playing Depay in at a tight angle; but the 19 year old showed a composure far beyond his years, forcing Kiraly into a catastrophic error; palming the ball into his own net from a tame shot - Depay might claim the goal for himself, but it is officially an own goal by the Hungarian goalkeeper.
Depay was once again a handful for the Hungarian defence after 12 minutes, when he beat two players down the left wing, before cutting the ball back to Clasie, who lifted the ball into the air for the onrushing Sneijder, and the Dutch captain made no mistake from the edge of the box, volleying emphatically into the top corner.
Holland’s fourth goal came ten minutes before half time, when Arjen Robben collected a long ball from van der Wiel, before squaring it back across the Hungarian penalty box to Clasie, who rattled his shot home, courtesy of both the crossbar, and the post.
Half Time: Holland 4-0 Hungary
Hungary pulled a goal back after 66 minutes, as the Holland defence struggled to deal with a long ball over the top, and Daniel Bode snuck in behind Blind to slot home from 5 yards
Holland’s reply was almost immediate, Jordy Clasie threading a ball through the Hungarian defence for Arjen Robben, who netted with typical composure.
Not content with 5-1, Holland kept pushing for more goals, but with the referee blowing for full time at exactly 90 minutes, Hungary were spared any further blushes.
Full Time: Holland 5-1 Hungary
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L. de Jong (4)
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Kiraly (7)
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Sneijder (12)
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Clasie (35)
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Robben (67)
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Jordy Clasie (9.4)
Key Player Watch: Gregory van der Wiel
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PSG’s 25 year old Right-back was critical in this double-header: his passing was a key part of starting attacks, and he was solid defensively when called upon; although he’s already made 38 appearances for the national team, some have suggested that this isn’t enough - and on this evidence, they’re right. 
Love the Dutch aspect 
Robben (15)
Nistoor (71)
Tim Krul (7.9)
