Gullit makes successful return

Ruud Gullit marked his return to competitive coaching by guiding the Netherlands to the second round of the UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

Dutch delight
The Dutch finished top of qualifying Group 10 with five points from three matches, one ahead of Israel, who also reached the second round. Iceland also collected four points, but failed to progress automatically as a result of a 2-1 defeat by Israel in their second match and missed out on qualification as the best third-placed side, with Hungary still holding that position. Hosts Moldova finished bottom with two points.

Opening draw
Gullit's side opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iceland in Kishinev, with Feyenoord defender Dustley Mulder giving the Dutch a fourth-minute lead only for Eyjolfur Hédinsson to strike back for Iceland midway through the first half.

Instant response
The other game also ended 1-1, with Israel and Moldova taking a point each from their encounter across Kishinev in the Republika stadium. Vadim Bolohan put Moldova in front in the 76th minute only for goalkeeper Andrian Negai to concede a penalty two minutes later, which Aviram Baruchyan duly converted. The hosts finished with ten men, after Anatoli Boestean was sent off for a second yellow card shortly before the final whistle.

Crucial win
Zeev Zeltzer's Israel side secured what proved to be a decisive
2-1 victory against Iceland, taking the lead through Gil Vermouth after 23 minutes. Hjalmar Thorarinsson equalised a minute later, only for Adir Meuda to cap a frantic period of play with the winner in the 26th minute.

Negai heroics
The Netherlands were stifled again by the hosts in Kishinev, Moldova earning a 0-0 draw thanks to an inspired display from Negai, while Arjan Wisse, Quincy Owusu Abeyie, Hedwiges Maduro and Jamal Ait-Mama all had chances to win the game for Gullit's team. 

Two-goal victory
However, a 2-0 win against Iceland moved the Dutch to the top of the group. Goals either side of half-time from AFC Ajax youngsters Ryan Babel and Maduro secured the victory, to the coach's delight.

'Wonderful feeling'
"This gives me a wonderful feeling," Gullit said. "The winning mentality is very strong with these guys, and today we played as a team. The players were concentrated and worked extremely hard to make our battle plan work. Today they were very patient and disciplined."

Exciting game
In the other game, goals from Hédinsson and Thorarinsson gave Iceland a two-goal lead inside the first 14 minutes. Vitalie Manaliu halved the deficit after 26 minutes and Alexandru Epureanu brought Vladimir Vusatii level six minutes before the interval, only for Baldur Sigurdsson to score what proved to be the winner with 20 minutes left, but it was all in vain for Iceland.

Second-round qualifiers:

N.B. Seeds in bold. The winners of each second-round group will join hosts Switzerland at next summer's final tournament.