Dutch coach Louis van Gaal said he was impressed by a battling display from Andorra on Saturday as the plucky part-timers made his side work hard for their victory.

The Netherlands were given more than a few problems by Andorra before completing a win that takes them up to third in their Group Two. Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert gave them the lead on nine minutes and goals from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Pierre van Hooijdonk (2) and Mark van Bommel gave them a slightly flattering margin of victory.

Asked if he had expected an easier game against a team that have yet to win a point in a competitive fixture, van Gaal said: "Andorra's performance wasn't a surprise for me. I saw a couple of top class players in their side. They were a very difficult team to play against.

"They were very disciplined and they made life difficult for us. It's tough to play against any side that is so well organised."

Kluivert was one of five Barcelona players in the Dutch starting line-up, making the away team far more familiar to the 1,000-strong crowd than the Andorrans.

"I thought we basically played like the home side tonight," he said. "So many of our team are based here in Barcelona."

Van Hooijdonk was understandably satisfied. "I wanted to give my international career an impulse and with these two goals, I think I've succeeded," the Benfica striker said. "I hope I've convinced the coach."

ANDORRA: Alvarez; Pol, Ramirez, Sonajee, Lima, Emiliano Escura, 85 mins); Sanchez, Garcia, Lucendo (Jimenez, 64), Ruiz (Fernandez, 90).

NETHERLANDS: van der Sar, Bosvelt, Stam (Bouma, 72), F de Boer, Cocu, van Bommel, Zenden, Davids (Paauwe, 46), Kluivert (Van Hooijdonk, 58), Hasselbaink, Overmars.

Referee: Edo Trivkovic (Croatia).