Netherlands thrash Romania 4-1 in WC qualifier

Bucharest: High-scoring Netherlands took control of their World Cup qualifying group by beating main rival Romania 4-1 on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record after four games.

Jeremaine Lens opened the scoring in the ninth minute after goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu punched a ball into his path for an easy header into an empty net, while Bruno Martins Indi added the second with a shot from six meters in the 29th.

Schalke 04 striker Ciprian Marica pulled one back for Romania in the 39th after dribbling past three players and shooting past Maarten Stekelenburg from about 18 meters.

Netherlands maintain their perfect record in World Cup qualifiers after four games.

But the Dutch kept attacking and Rafael van der Vaart made it 3-1 with a penalty in first-half injury time, while Manchester United striker Robin van Persie added the fourth in the 86th.

Romania had also won their first three games and is second in Group D on nine points.

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