Nistelrooy strikes twice against Finland

Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a goal in each half as the Netherlands recovered from a goal down to beat Finland 3-1 in their World Cup qualifier on Wednesday.

Finland shocked the Dutch by scoring the opening goal in the Group One match after just 14 minutes when Teemu Tainio headed home after Joonas Kolkka's strike hit the bar.

Six minutes before the break captain Philip Cocu set up Wesley Sneijder to equalise from close range and Van Nistelrooy gave the Dutch the lead two minutes later.

In the second half the Netherlands retained control despite a sloppy start and in the 63rd minute Van Nistelrooy sealed the victory after a pass from Romeo Castelen.

"I'm relieved because we won and for some parts with good football," said Netherlands coach Marco van Basten.

His opposite number Antti Muurinen added: "We did well the first forty minutes but then we gave away two chances against a world class attack and we got punished for that."

"It's a pity because two defensive errors by our side made the difference but it was a deserved win for the Dutch."

The victory takes the Netherlands within two points of group leaders Romania and Finland with a game in hand over the former and two over the latter. The Czech Republic are a point behind the Dutch after their 3-0 win in Andorra on Wednesday.

SURPRISE LEAD

In the opening phase of the match in Amsterdam, Finland's Shefki Kuqi missed the target for the visitors while Van Nistelrooy was inches short of Rafael van der Vaart's cross before Finland took a surprise lead to stun the home fans.

Goalkeeper Antti Niemi's long ball over the Dutch defence was misjudged by

The Dutch started with a three-man defence and Edgar Davids on the left side of midfield albeit with defensive duties.

Sneijder, criticised on Saturday for a poor performance in the disappointing 2-2 draw in Macedonia, was given an attacking midfield role and thrived as the most dangerous Dutchman.

"We had some problems in the beginning getting used to our tactical plan but in the end it worked out as we wished." said Van Basten. "Our performance is still not perfect but we have to keep in mind that it's a young team with several new players."

Sneijder was a revelation and although Niemi saved the young Ajax Amsterdam midfielder's first three attempts -- two long-distance shots and another effort after a defence splitting combination with Dirk Kuijt -- he eventually capitalised.

Six minutes before the break Cocu lifted the ball over the defence and Sneijder held off Aki Riihilahti to score.

Two minutes later Van Nistelrooy gave the Dutch the lead, netting from close range after Kuijt's shot struck the bar.

Finland started brightly following the break but after Kuqi and Antti Pohja missed chances the Dutch took control.

Van Nistelrooy celebrated his return from a two-match ban with his second goal as Castelen picked up the ball from Petri Pasanen and set up the Manchester United striker to seal the Dutch win and leave Saturday's disappointment behind.

"Van Nistelrooy has proved in the past few months that he's the (first-choice) striker in the Dutch team and he underlined that tonight," said Van Basten.