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Unimpressive Dutch scrape victory

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LUXEMBOURG -- Central defender Joris Mathijsen's 17th minute goal gave Netherlands a 1-0 win over Luxembourg in their Euro 2008 Group G qualifier.

Netherlands started with a revamped midfield featuring Stijn Schaars and Theo Janssen but failed to establish any rhythm in the opening period to break down Luxembourg's packed defence.

Indeed, it was the hosts who created the first danger when Aurelien Joachim picked up the ball after a sloppy moment in the Dutch defence but his shot went wide.

Seconds later Mathijsen got his first goal on his 13th appearance as he netted the rebound off keeper Jonathan Joubert who had blocked his header from Robin van Persie's corner.

Netherlands dictated the play although Luxembourg had a chance to level the scores only for Sebastien Remy to fire too high after Andre Ooijer failed to clear the ball.

Netherlands coach Marco Van Basten changed his tactics for the second half when he brought on Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink as alongside Klaas Jan Huntelaar up front and moved Van Persie from the flank to the center of midfield.

The change disturbed the home side's defence as Huntelaar and Vennegoor of Hesselink had chances to score in the first few minutes following the break but after that Luxembourg regained control.

Twenty minutes from time striker Dirk Kuyt came close to wrapping up the victory for the visitors but Joubert saved after two defenders had been outfoxed by the Dutchman.

The home side, who won their last competitive match 11 years ago, gave a good account of themselves against a Dutch side that played poorly and failed to fire.

"This was a mockery," angry Netherlands coach Marco Van Basten told reporters after his team's narrow win against opponents who they were expected to beat easily.

"The first half we tried to solve it by playing football but that didn't work out. The second half we played the English way with the long ball and that also failed."

"Everyone played below his level. In fact we should be pleased with this result when we played so badly."

Netherlands will play their second group match on Wednesday at home to Belarus while Luxembourg have to wait until October 7 for their next qualifier away to Slovenia.

Bulgaria fight back to draw

Meanwhile, a late double from Bulgaria striker Martin Petrov salvaged a 2-2 draw against Romania in their Group G qualifier.

Petrov scored both his goals in the 82nd minute when he converted an 18-meter free-kick and then added another after a perfect cross from the right 40 seconds later.

Romania dominated most of the play forcing Bulgaria coach Hristo Stoichkov to replace two midfielders at the break in an attempt to change his team's style of play.

Laurentiu Rosu had opened the scoring for the home side five minutes before halftime after being set up by Adrian Mutu.

Romania went 2-0 ahead thanks to a fine individual goal by Ciprian Marica who dribbled past two defenders and goalkeeper Georgi Petkov to score 10 minutes into the second half.

Romania central defender Gabriel Tamas was sent off for a second yellow card in the fourth minute of added time.


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The Dutch players' celebrate Mathijsen's goal in a narrow victory.

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