Arjen Robben and the Netherlands bounced back from a poor run of results and a disastrous start to Euro 2016 qualifying with a 6-0 rout of Latvia in Amsterdam on Sunday evening, a result that saved coach Guus Hiddink’s job: the veteran boss had said he would step down if his men could not reverse a streak of four defeats in five matches under his command. Inspired by an on-fire Robben, the men in orange attacked from the off and were rewarded with goals from Robin van Persie (6), Robben (35), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (42), Jeffrey Bruma (78), Robben again (82) and a second from Huntelaar (89). The team that finished third at the 2014 World Cup now have two wins from four qualifiers and are back on track for a berth at Euro 2016 in France.
Benatia rested as Morocco win
Three days after thrashing Benin 6-1, Morocco continued their good form with a 2-1 friendly victory over Zimbabwe. Assaidi (64) and Mouhcine lajour (79, pen) scored for the home side in a deserved victory in Agadir, although the visitors had taken a 19th-minute lead through Boney Macalley. FCB centre-back Mehdi Benatia did not feature, as the Morocco captain and a number of his senior team-mates had been given permission to return early to their clubs. Morocco have been expelled from the Africa Cup of Nations in January after a dispute over hosting.
Germany U-19: Success for FCB trio
Gianluca Gaudino’s starting debut for the Germany U-19s ended successfully as the Bayern youth and his team-mates chalked up a first win at a four-nations tournament in Greece. Three days after losing 2-0 to Spain, Gaudino and Co posted a comfortable 3-0 victory over the hosts at Katerini Municipal Stadium courtesy of goals from Nadiem Amiri (32), Max Christiansen (57) and Richard Neudecker (63). Greece were further handicapped by the loss of keeper Michail Iliadis to a straight red card for a foul as last man on the hour. Gaudino played the full 90 minutes, with Sinan Kurt and Marco Hingerl coming on as subs after 69 and 75 minutes. The Germans complete their fixtures at the tournament against France on Monday.
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