Perfect Dutch seek to close in on finals
Israel chase vital win in Group F
The Netherlands can move to the brink of qualification for the European Championship finals when they host a Hungary side they thrashed 4-0 on Friday.
Europe and World Cup kings Spain will also be looking to extend their flawless run in Group I when they travel to Lithuania while in Group F, Israel hope to keep their qualification chances alive with a home win over a Georgia team buoyed by their surprise 1-0 win over Croatia on Saturday.
The Dutch swept aside their closest rivals in Group E in Budapest to maintain their perfect record and move six points clear at the top of the standings.
That advantage can be extended to a formidable nine points with victory in Amsterdam today – a scenario made more likely with Hungary star Balasz Dzsudzsak struggling with a rib complaint.
The PSV Eindhoven winger’s injury is unwanted news for the Hungarians, who will be fearing another heavy reverse after they were also beaten 6-1 by the Dutch last June.
Holland midfielder Nigel De Jong is aware the eastern Europeans will be feeling the pressure of those results, and while he still expects victory he is also prepared for a more aggressive approach from the visitors.
“This is the third game in a short time that they will play against us and it is their third chance to do something,” he said.
“Hungary is perhaps not the best opponent we have ever played against, but we still had to work hard to perform on Friday.
“I can quite understand if we meet an aggressive approach tomorrow (today).”
Holland’s attacking threat was underlined on Friday when they shared the goals between Rafael van der Vaart, Ibrahim Affelay, Dirk Kuyt and Robin van Persie.
After reaching the World Cup final last summer and the subsequent ease with which they have handled their Euro 2012 qualification group so far, the current team is being lauded for returning the ‘Total Football’ style of play that marked the great Dutch teams of the past.
Holland will again be without Mark van Bommel who has been ruled out with a thigh injury while goalkeeper Martin Stekelenburg, Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar are still out.
Injury problems
Hungary’s injury problems extend to Stuttgart midfielder Tamas Hajnal while defender Roland Juhasz will undergo a fitness test after flying with the squad to Amsterdam.
But after their poor showing on Friday, coach Sandor Egervari is set to make further changes.
“I’d like to refresh the team for Tuesday’s match so beside the forced substitutions, I’m planning changes to the line-up,” he said.
If Hungary fail to take anything from their trip to Holland they could be joined on nine points by Sweden, who will be expected to beat Moldova, and who have two games in hand.
Beaten 3-1 by Spain in October, Lithuania face a massive test but still hope of an upset when they host the world’s best team.
“You have to believe otherwise you’ll never win,” coach Raimondas Zutautas said.
Lithuania suffered their first Group I defeat on October 8 when they lost 3-1 to the Roja – who beat the Czech Republic 2-1 on Friday – but they are positive about their chances of upsetting the odds in the reverse fixture on home soil.
“We will prepare as usual, maybe only with more video analysis this time,” Zutautas told uefa.com.
“There is no need to motivate the men. Everyone knows they are playing the champions.”
Elsewhere, Israel coach Luis Fernandez feels victory over Georgia in Tel Aviv today would re-ignite their qualifying campaign.
A late header from Celtic midfielder Beram Kayal gave Israel a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Latvia on Saturday.
Another win today would lift them above Georgia in Group F and level with second-placed Croatia, who travel to France for a friendly.
It would also see them just a point behind group leaders Greece, albeit having played a match more.
However, with Georgia beating Croatia in Tbilisi at the weekend, and so far undefeated away from home, Fernandez knows his side are set for another stern test of their credentials.
“The Georgians are a tough side, they beat Croatia 1-0 and they are capable of playing good football,” he said. “It will be very tough for us and for some players to turn out for a second time in four days will be very difficult.
“However, if we beat Georgia we will be in a good situation.”
Israel figured in a goalless draw in Georgia on September 7, but then lost successive qualifying games against Croatia and Greece before Kayal’s late intervention saw them return to winning ways.
Group A
Playing today
Turkey vs Austria
Belgium vs Azerbaijan
June 3
Belgium vs Turkey
Kazakhstan vs Azerbaijan
Austria vs Germany
Group B
June 4
Russia vs Armenia
Slovakia vs Andorra
Macedonia vs Ireland
September 2
Andorra vs Armenia
Russia vs Macedonia
Ireland vs Slovakia
Group C
Playing today
Estonia vs Serbia
N. Ireland vs Slovenia
June 3
Italy vs Estonia
Faroe Islands vs Slovenia
June 7 − F. Islands vs Estonia
Group D
Playing today
Romania vs Luxembourg
June 3
Romania vs Bosnia
Belarus vs France
June 7 − Belarus vs Luxembourg; Bosnia vs Albania
Group E
Playing today
Sweden vs Moldova
Netherlands vs Hungary
June 3
Moldova vs Sweden
San Marino vs Finland
June 7 − San Marino vs Hungary; Sweden vs Finland
Group F
Playing today
Israel vs Georgia
June 4
Croatia vs Georgia
Greece vs Malta
Latvia vs Israel
September 2 − Israel vs Greece; Malta vs Croatia; Georgia vs Latvia
Group G
June 4
Montenegro vs Bulgaria
England vs Switzerland
September 2
Wales vs Montenegro
Bulgaria vs England
Group H
June 4
Iceland vs Denmark
Portugal vs Norway
September 2
Norway vs Iceland
Cyprus vs Portugal
Group I
Playing today
Czech Rep. vs Liechtenstein
Lithuania vs Spain
June 3
Liechtenstein vs Lithuania