Dutch delight at first win

The Netherlands kept alive their slender hopes of reaching the UEFA Women's Championship with a crucial 3-0 victory against Belgium in Eindhoven.

First points
The victory gave Frans de Kat's side their first points of the qualifying competition. The Dutch lie fourth in Group 2 with three points from four games having lost to Spain, Norway and Denmark, who are all above them. Belgium, meanwhile, remained bottom having lost all three matches to date.

Bright start
The home side began brightly at the Jan Louwers stadium and took the lead in the 15th minute as Monique van Veen reacted fastest to a mistake from Belgian goalkeeper Gave Van Poucke to score into an unguarded net.

Quick goals
The Dutch continued to control the match in the second half and created a number of clear chances before doubling their lead six minutes after half-time as defender Marloes de Boer headed in a free-kick. Striker Jessica Torny wrapped up the points 12 minutes later, turning past her marker before finishing calmly to make the score 3-0.

'Small step'
"For now we made a small step towards the 2005 European Championship in England, but that is all," said De Kat after the match. "The next two matches [away against Belgium and Spain] also have to be won."