Second-half goals from John
Heitinga and Rafael van der Vaart helped the Netherlands to a 2-1
victory in Macedonia in their opening Group 9 fixture.
The Dutch were in control in a dull first half, although
Goran Pandev had the ball in the net for the hosts but his
effort was ruled out for offside.
Heitinga broke the deadlock just after the interval when he
headed home a cross from Arjen Robben. Midfielder Mark van Bommel set up Van der Vaart just before
the hour mark and the playmaker doubled the lead with a fierce
shot.
I'm satisfied with the three points as I expected it would
not be easy to win here
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk.
"
I'm satisfied with the three points as I expected it would
not be easy to win here
," Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk
told Dutch television. "In the first half we lacked the patience in possession of
the ball but we set it straight directly after the break when we
had our best phase of the match."
Macedonia's hopes were pinned on striker Pandev, who tested
Netherlands keeper Maarten Stekelenburg twice on his way to
pulling one back. He eventually converted a penalty 13 minutes
from time, but it was to prove a mere consolation.