Dutch shade Albania to top group

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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Netherlands booked a 2-1 win over Albania on Wednesday to regain the lead in Euro 2008 qualifying Group G.

Robin van Persie opened the scoring after 13 minutes, while his cross four minutes before the break was netted by Albania's Nevil Dede to double the lead.

Despite a good start after their convincing display in a 1-1 draw in Bulgaria on Saturday, Marco van Basten's team slipped to a worrying level.

Albania fought back with Debatik Curri on target midway through the second half.

Netherlands, with Van Persie as central striker in the absence of the injured Dirk Kuyt and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, made a fine start with dominating, offensive football.

Arjen Robben created the first danger in the second minute when he outplayed two markers but his curved shot missed the target.

Van Persie opened the scoring 12 minutes later when he netted from 10 metres after a defence-splitting combination by Joris Mathijsen and Ryan Babel.

After 30 minutes of pressure, the Dutch lost their concentration and gave Albania the opportunity to create their first chance when Erjon Bogdani almost surprised Edwin van der Sar.

Dede's own goal gave the Dutch a comfortable 2-0 lead at halftime. The Albanian defender unfortunately turned a Van Persie cross behind his own goalkeeper four minutes before the break.

Curri gave the home side a serious warning shortly after the interval when his fierce shot hit the post and midway through the second half he had more luck and pulled one back.

Bulgaria scare

Bulgaria extended their unbeaten run to four matches and climbed up to second in Group G when they squeezed past Luxembourg 1-0 in their Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.

The breakthrough came in the 26th minute when defender Alexander Tunchev, who returned to the starting line-up after suspension, gave Luxembourg keeper Stephane Gillet no chance with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Luxembourg, who are yet to win or draw in 11 competitive matches with Bulgaria, came closest to scoring in the dying seconds of the first half when Aurelien Joackim headed just wide of the post from Claude Reiter's left wing cross.

Bulgaria dominated the second half too, monopolising possession and stroking the ball neatly around the midfield but their lack of killer instinct was evident again and they were unable to increase their advantage.

Striker Dimitar Berbatov headed down Hristo Yovov's fine cross from the left but substitute Zoran Yankovic blasted it just over the bar nine minutes from time.

Bulgaria suffered a setback midway through the second half when defender Stanislav Angelov picked up a booking that rules him out of Bulgaria's next game, at home against Albania on March 28.

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