Netherlands 2 Czech Republic 0: Pierre van Hooijdonk scored twice to give the Netherlands a dream start in their opening World Cup qualifier last night at The Amsterdam Arena. Van Hooijdonk grabbed a goal in each half to provide the Dutch with a measure of revenge after they lost against the Czechs in Euro 2004.

The Czechs dominated the first half and missed three great chances in the opening half-hour. But it was the Netherlands who went in front against the run of play after 33 minutes as Dirk Kuijt's defence-splitting pass found Rafael van der Vaart, who set up van Hooijdonk to score.

In the second half the Czechs went on the attack but a header against the bar from striker Jan Koller was the closest they came to an equaliser and van Hooijdonk sealed victory for the Dutch six minutes from time with a header.

Meanwhile, Group One leaders Romania had a 5-1 victory away to lowly Andorra. The visitors got off to a flying start when Florin Cernat clipped the ball over goalkeeper Koldo in the first minute. Daniel Pancu beat Koldo with a low angled shot in the fifth minute and Romania were 3-0 up after 15 minutes when Marius Niculae headed home from a free kick from Cernat.

Andorra pulled one back with a Marc Pujol penalty before the break, but Niculae restored Romania's advantage with his second in the 70th minute and Pancu completed his double from a corner seven minutes from time.

NETHERLANDS: E van der Sar; J Heitinga, A Ooijer, N de Jong; W Sneijder, M van Bommel, E Davids, R van der Vaart (Kahlid Bouhlarouz 64); D Kuijt, P van Hooijdonk (G van Bronckhorst 86), R Castelen (R Makaay 74).

CZECH REPUBLIC: P Cech; M Jiranek (Z Grygera 58), R Bolf, T Ujfalusi, M Jankulovski; M Heinz, T Rosicky, T Hubschman (S Vachousek 62), R Tyce (V Lokvenc 76); M Baros, JKoller.

Referee: M Merk (Germany).