2002 World Cup - Holland 4 Cyprus 0

New Manchester United record signing Ruud van Nistelrooy almost scored a hat trick after returning to the Dutch team as a 71st minute substitute.

Instead he had to settle for a single goal and Holland's fourth of the night in front of his home fans at Eindhoven.

Holland took half an hour to get going at the Philips stadium but then Premiership top scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink launched a hard drive into the net from outside the penalty area after he connected with a free kick in the 29th minute.

Marc Overmars added a second goal in the 36th minute when he drove in a cross shot with Frank De Boer setting up Patrick Kluivert for an ezcellent volley and then the crowd welcomed van Nistelrooy who replaced Clarence Seedorf.

He came close with two drives but then scored with a header after Boudewijn Zenden drove a cross to him.

The Dutch have 11 points in group two and are level with Portugal who have played a game less and trail leaders Ireland by three points after Mick McCarthy's team beat Andorra 3-1 in Dublin tonight.