Netherlands crush Hungary, Van Persie turns all-time topscorer

Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Oct 12 (IANS) Robin van Persie became all-time topscorer of the Dutch national team after producing a hat-trick in a 2014 World Cup qualifier win over Hungary 8-1 in Amsterdam Friday.

Van Persie opened the scoring on the 16th minute by heading in a cross by Daryl Janmaat. Kevin Strootman doubled the lead with another header on the 25th minute. The Dutch added two more goals in the final phase of the first half when Jeremain Lens scored from a rebound and Van Persie produced the fourth goal, Xinhua reported.

The goal of Van Persie was a highlight in many ways. Lens found Arjen Robben with a back-heel pass, before Robben crossed to Van Persie and the Manchester United headed in. With his 40th goal he equalled Patrick Kluivert as all-time topscorer of the Dutch team.

Van Persie celebrated his goal by running to the Dutch bench, where he jumped into the arms of Kluivert, the current assistant- coach of the Dutch team.

He scored his 40th goal exactly 10 years after Kluivert had produced his 40th for the Dutch team.

The top seeds in the 2014 World Cup groups will be host Brazil and the seven best-ranked teams in the October standings. The current top seven teams are Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium and Uruguay, with Brazil as number eight and the Dutch as number nine.

The Netherlands are on 25 points out of nine matches in Group D, but the battle for the second place is wide open. Turkey, who play the Dutch in Istanbul Tuesday, are second with 16 points, Romania have 16 points as well, while the Hungarians are on 14 with one match remaining.