RUUD VAN NISTELROOY scored his first goal since November to help Holland to stay at the top of World Cup qualifying group one with a 2-0 victory over Armenia in Eindhoven last night.

The Manchester United forward, who was sidelined for almost two months at the turn of the year because of injury, scored the second goal to keep Holland a point clear. They stay ahead of the Czech Republic, 4-0 winners away to Andorra. Milan Baros, the Liverpool forward, scored the second goal. Romania kept the pressure on with a 2-1 victory away to FYR Macedonia.

In group two, Ukraine continued their dominating form, defeating Denmark 1-0 in Kiev, opening up a three-point gap ahead of Greece, the European champions, who beat Albania 2-0 in Athens. Turkey kept their hopes alive with a 5-2 win away to Georgia.

Portugal needed a goal eight minutes from time from Hélder Postiga, the former Tottenham Hotspur forward, to earn a 1-1 draw against Slovakia in Bratislava. Russia’s hopes of closing the gap on the top two in group three were snuffed out when they could only draw 1-1 with Estonia.

Italy, who were not in competitive action, remained untroubled at the top of group five after a 0-0 draw between Moldova and Norway and a 1-1 draw between Slovenia and Belarus.

Belgium survived a scare in group seven, struggling to a 2-1 win away to San Marino. Belgium took the lead with a seventeenth-minute penalty from Timmy Simons, but the home team equalised through Andy Selva. Daniel van Buyten hit the winner to spare Belgium embarrassment.

Dado Prso, the Rangers forward, scored twice as Croatia replaced Sweden at the top of group eight with a 3-0 win over Malta.

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