Holland maintain perfect start

Holland recorded their fifth World Cup Group D qualifying win to further improve their chances of reaching the finals in Brazil with a 3-0 victory over Estonia in Amsterdam.

While the win - Holland's 13th consecutive World Cup qualifying victory - was hardly the most convincing of the Oranje's impressive run, it was enough to ensure they moved five points clear in the group.

After a frustrating opening half substitute Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring on 47 minutes before Robin van Persie and substitute Ruben Schaken sealed the victory.

With closest rivals Hungary drawing 2-2 with Romania it meant Holland - who have not lost a World Cup qualifier since 2001 - are now in full control of Group D.

They had to survive a below-par opening 45 minutes, however, as they struggled to break down a stubborn Estonia rearguard.

Wesley Sneijder was their most threatening presence in the opening exchanges as he flashed a long-range effort over before missing a more presentable opportunity inside the area.
Right-back Darryl Janmaat forced the opening when he cut inside and played the ball to Van der Vaart whose quick turn allowed him the time to get off a shot that, while not cleanly hit, had the direction to squeeze past Sergei Pareiko.

The goal galvanised Holland and Van Persie headed straight at Pareiko moments later.

The Manchester United striker was not having his best night in front of goal though and wastefully shot after Janmaat had made another break down the right.

Jonathan De Guzman, whose passing had been sloppy on occasions, then fired over from range after a typical Robben run down the left.

But with the game drifting away from Estonia, Van Persie finally found his range 18 minutes from time to make sure of a Dutch win. The striker ran onto a lofted pass to side-foot a volley that was too strong for Pareiko.

Holland got further reward for a performance that did not perhaps deserve three goals, when Van Persie's cross reached Schaken to rifle in at the far post in the 84th minute.