The Netherlands took a major step toward qualifying for the 2010 World Cup by blanking Scotland 3-0 yesterday.

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed Mark van Bommel's cross from six yards to put the Netherlands in front after 30 minutes. Robin van Persie scored with another header from Arjen Robben's left-footed corner in first-half stoppage time, and Dirk Kuyt made it 3-0 in the 77th minute by converting a penalty after Christophe Berra had fouled Huntelaar in the area.

The Netherlands lead Group 9 with 12 points from four games. Scotland are second with four points. Both sides play again Wednesday, with the Netherlands hosting Macedonia and Scotland taking on Iceland.

Kenny Miller had the game's first chance in the 10th minute after beating an offside trap, but a well-timed challenge by Joris Mathijsen stopped a potential shot toward goal.

Near miss

Robben immediately responded for the Netherlands, creating a chance for Dirk Kuyt, before skillfully taking Mark van Bommel's 28th-minute pass, only to see his effort go wide.

Two minutes later, Van Bommel sent another long-range cross toward the unmarked Hunterlaar, who could head in his 12th international goal.

The Netherlands then took control of the game, and Van Persie's goal came seconds before referee Laurent Duhamel blew his whistle to end the first half.

Robben used his pace to set up Kuyt in the 50th minute, but the Liverpool forward narrowly missed after his shot took a deflection. Robben's curling 25-yard shot nine minutes later was easily saved by Allan McGregor.

Maarteen Stekelenburg, who has kept his place in the Netherlands goal despite losing his place to Kenneth Vermeer at Ajax, didn't have to make a single meaningful save.

Gary Caldwell thought he had pulled one back for Scotland in the 74th minute, but his goal was ruled out after Gary Teale's foul on the Netherlands goalkeeper.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk picked the defence-minded pair of Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong in midfield, surprisingly leaving Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart on the bench.

Long-term injury

Scotland were without the long-term injured James McFadden and Shaun Maloney, as well as Celtic captain Stephen McManus and David Weir. Kirk Broadfoot, Kris Commons and Paul Hartley also sat out with injuries.

Other results (home teams listed first):

Europe

Group 1: Albania 0 Hungary 1; Malta 0 Denmark 3

Group 2: Israel 1 Greece 1; Luxembourg 0 Latvia 4; Moldova 0 Switzerland 2.

Group 3: Northern Ireland 3 Poland 2; Slovenia 0 Czech Republic 0.

Group 4: Germany 4 Liechtenstein 0; Russia 2 Azerbaijan 0; Wales 0 Finland 2.

Group 5: Armenia 2 Estonia 2; Belgium 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 4.

Group 7: Lithuania 0 France 1; Romania 2 Serbia 3.

Group 8: Cyprus 2 Georgia 1; Ireland 1 Bulgaria 1; Montenegro 0 Italy 2.