The Netherlands moved six points clear at the top of Group E following a 4-0 thumping at Hungary in Friday s Euro 2012 qualifier.
Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk opted to start the likes of Robin van Persie, Ibrahim Afellay and Rafael van der Vaart at the Puskas Ferenc Stadion in Budapest, and the difference in class was evident from the outset.Van der Vaart put the Oranje ahead in the eighth minute, and goals to Afellay, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt and Van Persie ensured the visitors would secure the fifth straight win of the qualifying campaign.But the win was soured by what appeared to be a serious ankle injury to Afellay, the Barcelona midfielder limping gingerly from the pitch in the 56th minute after coming down hard in a tackle.Wesley Sneijder was on hand to ensure Van der Vaart ended a goal drought stretching back over a month, the Inter Milan man weaving his way into the area and poking a pass to the Tottenham midfielder for a cool finish.Afellay made it 2-0 in the shadows of half-time with a bit of individual brilliance, picking out the bottom-left corner of the net with a blistering strike from range after 45 minutes.Sneijder also played a part in the third goal, releasing Van der Vaart with a through pass.Van der Vaart skimmed his way into the box and slid the ball to Kuyt for the easiest of finishes; and Kuyt repaid the favour on eight minutes later with an assist in Van Persie s strike.The Liverpool striker dipped a ball over his mark to release Ajax defender Gregory van der Wiel, who cut his way through two defenders on the right flank and cut back a pass for Van Persie.The result leaves the Netherlands six points clear at the top of Group E and in excellent shape to clinch their berth at the Euro 2012 finals.Hungary remain second on six points, equal with Sweden but having played two games more than the Scandinavians.
