register to 888sport
888sport time:

Results Based News

Kuyt keeps Oranje on track

Author: Rose Young
Date: 02/04/2009

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt scored twice as the Netherlands maintained their 100 start to World Cup qualifying group nine with a comfortable 4-0 win over betting outsiders FYR Macedonia.

Scotland improved their chances of finishing as runners-up to the Oranje by beating Iceland 2-1.

Northern Ireland made it four successive qualifying victories with a narrow 1-0 success against Slovenia in group three while Slovakia kept up the pressure on Nigel Worthington's team with a shock 2-1 win over Czech Republic.

Erik Jendrisek clinched all three points for the visitors at Sparta Stadium with a goal in the 83rd minute.

In the group's other match, Poland thrashed San Marino 10-0 with Ebi Smolarek scoring four of the goals.

Albert Riera grabbed a stoppage-time winner as Euro 2008 champions Spain hit back to beat Turkey 2-1 in Istanbul while second-placed Bosnia-Herzegovina were 2-1 winners over Belgium.

In the evening's other group five match, Sander Puri scored a late goal to give Estonia a 1-0 home win over Armenia.

Franck Ribery proved to be France's match-winner as Les Bleus struggled to a 1-0 victory against Lithuania in group seven while Erwin Hoffer scored twice to give Austria a 2-1 win over Romania.

In group eight, Bulgaria secured a 2-0 win over Cyprus in Sofia while Georgia and Montenegro were involved in a goalless draw in Tbilisi and the Republic of Ireland hit back to draw 1-1 with ten-man Italy.

Germany continue to dominate group four after winning 2-0 in Wales but Russia kept the pressure on the leaders by securing a 1-0 victory in Liechtenstein.

England maintained their 100 per cent record in group six by beating Ukraine 2-1 while Croatia won 2-0 in Andorra and Belarus came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 5-1.

Greece top group two after beating Israel 2-1 while Switzerland won 2-0 at home to Moldova and Latvia beat Luxembourg by the same scoreline.

Denmark remain top of group one ahead of Hungary on goal difference after a 3-0 victory over Albania. Hungary strolled to a 3-0 success against Malta at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.

In rugby union, Nick Easter scored a 12-minute hat-trick as Harlequins moved to the top of the Guinness Premiership table with a 60-14 victory over injury-ravaged Worcester.

In the evening's other game, Wasps lost 22-14 to title-chasing Bath at the Recreation Ground.

In tennis, Novak Djokovic is through to the semi-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-4.

The Serbian will now face Roger Federer in the semi-finals after the Swiss star saw off Andy Roddick 6-3 4-6 6-4.

In the women's event, Venus Williams will meet her sister, Serena, in the semi-finals after easing to a straightforward 6-1 6-4 win against Iveta Benesova.

Serena had to come back from a set down before seeing off the Chinese player Na Li 4-6 7-6 6-2.

online betting