Big guns back to boost Dutch

EUROPE’S big guns play World Cup 2006 qualifiers this afternoon in the knowledge they have little room for error.

There is only a point separating the strong quartet of The Netherlands, Romania, Finland and the Czech Republic in Group One.

The Dutch, leading on goal difference, face a testing trip to second-placed Romania and coach Marco van Basten has called up newcomers Hedwiges Maduro and Ryan Babel of Ajax.

Martijn Meerdink of AZ Alkmaar was a late withdrawal with a serious knee injury, but van Basten has been boosted by the return to fitness of Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy, Chelsea’s Arjen Robben, and PSV duo Wilfred Bouma and Phillip Cocu.

The fourth-placed Czechs host Finland without injured striker Jan Koller, with both sides looking to put pressure on the top two.

In Group Two, Ukraine enjoy a six-point lead and sit out this round of matches, but second-placed Greece, the European champions, face a tough away trip to Georgia.

Turkey, the 2002 World Cup semi-finalists who failed to qualify for Euro 2004, are lying third in Group 2, eight points behind Ukraine albeit with a game in hand.

“We have a tough two-match period ahead of us,” said coach Ersun Yanal. “Injuries are not a serious concern for us and my players have the strength to win both games.”

Galatasaray striker Necati Ates added: “We will get six points from the two games we are going to play. This is our last chance to get back in contention.”

Slovakia have a chance to draw level with Group Three pacesetters Portugal, who hold a three-point advantage over their rivals with an extra game under their belts.

The Slovaks travel to Estonia, one of three teams along with Russia and Latvia on seven points.

Group Five sees front-runners Italy host winless Scotland without the dropped Alessandro del Piero and injured defender Alessandro Nesta. Roma striker Vincenzo Montella, the leading scorer in Serie A was a late withdrawal with an ankle injury.

The three top sides in Group Seven all have the weekend off, but strugglers Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina face off with neither side having managed a victory.

In Group Eight, leaders Sweden travel to second-placed Bulgaria, while Croatia go to Iceland.