Dynamic Dutch end Greek run

Netherlands 4-0 Greece

Depleted Dutch
The Dutch team appeared unhampered by the absences of Ruud van Nistelrooij, Andy van der Meyde, Edgar Davids, Arjen Robben and Phillip Cocu. They started confidently, taking advantage of Dick Advocaat's decision to ditch his customary 4-3-3 system and play with two forwards – Patrick Kluivert and Makaay – and four in midfield. Indeed, Makaay twice went close to registering an early lead, heading a Rafael van der Vaart cross wide when unmarked in the second minute and nodding straight at goalkeeper Antonios Nikopolidis four minutes later.

Greek struggle
Greece, who were without defender Mihalis Kapsis but recalled midfield player Giorgios Karagounis after the 1-0 defeat of Switzerland in March, struggled to impose themselves. On the rare occasions when Otto Rehhagel's men did manage to create openings, the hosts were alive to the danger. Wilfred Bouma made an excellent tackle to deny Giourkas Seitaridis's run just outside the box in the 25th minute. Soon after, Nikolaos Dabizas was presented with the visitors' best chance of the half from a free-kick, but Edwin van der Sar palmed his header over.

Home supremacy
If the Netherlands had been guilty of failing to find an end product to their neat passing game before the interval, this was certainly not the case after it. Makaay opened the scoring in the 49th minute, positioning himself perfectly to tap in Zenden's cross from close range. Provider turned goalscorer four minutes later as the midfield player collected the ball on the edge of the area and slammed in a shot which deflected off Dabizas, wrong-footing keeper Nikopolidis. Defender Heitinga made it 3-0 in the 61st minute, nodding in a right-wing Van der Vaart free-kick.

Van Hooijdonk landmark
Van Hooijdonk applied the gloss finish to a commanding display a minute from time, converting a cross from Zenden for his tenth international goal. The Fenerbahçe SK striker had become the record holder of Dutch substitute appearances when he came on for his 37th cap 24 minutes earlier. It was his 35th cameo as a substitute, beating the previous record held by Aron Winter.