The Netherlands has qualified for the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa, by defeating Iceland 2-1 in Reykjavik. The two goals were scored in the first 16 minutes by midfielders Nigel de Jong and Mark van Bommel. 

After an impressive first half in which strikers Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie should have at least doubled the score, the Dutch lowered the tempo and turned the match into a routine win. 
 

Ryan Babel, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and David Mendes da Silva were brought on as substitutes in the second half, but the three failed to make their mark and in the final minutes, the disappointing hosts were able to pull one back through Kristjan Orn Sigurdsson.
 

With six games played, the Dutch lead Group 9 with 18 points; Iceland have fallen to the bottom of the table with just four points.

Japan was the first to qualify for the World Cup on Saturday when it defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in Tashkent. Australia and South Korea also secured their places in next year's championship games.