As expected the Netherlands cruised through the first match in the qualifying phase for Euro 2012 beating the lowest ranked international side San Marino in an away game 0-5.

The contrast couldn't have bigger with the last Dutch international match - the defeat in the World Cup final in South Africa. But despite a slow start to the game the Dutch team were able to cruise comfortably through to win.

Dirk Kuijt scored the first in the 13th minute and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored the first of his three ten minutes before the break.

The game picked up a little in the second half, when Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk swopped defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong for the more attack minded Rafeal van der Vaart, who lined up two nice goals for Huntelaar. Ruud van Nistelrooij, applauded as he ran on to the pitch after a two-year break from the national team, netted the last goal.

San Marino is the lowest ranking national football team in the world in 202nd place. It has never won a point in the preliminary rounds of a European Championship. Around 2000 fans came to see the match, most of them wearing orange.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide