Van Bronckhorst snatches Dutch win

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CELJE, Slovenia -- The Netherlands beat Slovenia 1-0 with a goal five minutes from time by Giovanni van Bronckhorst in a Euro 2008 Group G qualifier on Wednesday.

The win puts the Dutch back on top with 14 points, three points ahead of second-placed Romania, who beat Luxembourg 3-0 earlier on Wednesday. Slovenia are fifth with four points.

The visitors, with Edwin van der Sar back in goal after injury, dominated possession but failed to score until the 85th minute when midfielder Van Bronckhorst found the net.

"At the end it was hectic and when I brought on Danny Koevermans as an extra striker we played worse but then we scored," Netherlands coach Marco van Basten told TV-station 10.

"Football can be strange," he added.

"I changed my players in several positions because two matches like this in a few days is a heavy load and it worked today. The team was fresh and created at least 10 chances so it was sad that the score was still 0-0 after 80 minutes."

The Dutch were disappointing up front on Saturday when they played out a goalless draw at home to Romania in Rotterdam.

"None of my central strikers have really been convincing so there is no first choice," said Van Basten. "Until there is several will have a chance."

Slovenia defended well against a more skilful Dutch side which had 15 shots to the home side's seven.

"The Dutch had more opportunities but I feel my team played well and I think we forced them to give their best," said Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek.

"I'm disappointed Slovenia lost points but hope we'll be able to make up the difference in the games ahead."

Romania beat Luxembourg 3-0 with goals from Adrian Mutu, Cosmin Contra and Ciprian Marica.

The win put Romania level on 11 points with Netherlands, who play Slovenia later on Wednesday, at the top of the group.

Bulgaria, who were earlier held to a goalless draw at home to Albania, are third on nine.

Squandered

Romania squandered several chances against Luxembourg, who have failed to earn a point in five games.

Fiorentina's Mutu finally found the net in the 25th minute from a Iannis Zicu pass.

Defender Contra added the second after a fine solo effort five minutes after the break and substitute Marica scored the third one minute from time.

Bulgaria paid the price for half a dozen of missed chances in Sofia.

The draw means Hristo Stoichkov's team have plenty to do if they are to reach the finals with matches against favorites the Netherlands and Romania still to come.

Coach Stoichkov was clearly frustrated by the result: "We had our chances but we didn't score," he said. "We were by far the better side on the field but it's the goals that make the difference."

"But there are still a lot of matches and we don't have to make a tragedy out of it. We still have our chances to qualify."

Bulgaria will wonder how they failed to pierce the Albanian defense, particularly during the second half which was a tale of almost constant home pressure capped by a series of "golden chance" misses.

Stilian Petrov hit the post with thunderous shot from 25 meters in the fourth minute and substitute Svetoslav Todorov headed against the crossbar midway through the second half.

Prolific Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov, wearing the captain's armband, was denied several times by Albania keeper Arjan Beqaj who also made a spectacular save after Chavdar Yankov's long-range effort.

"We can only blame ourselves for dropping the precious points," said Berbatov. "We created a lot of chances but we lacked the killer instinct tonight."

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