Jurrien Timber made another appearance as a centre-back for the Netherlands on Sunday as they guaranteed a top-two qualification finish with a win over Finland.
With the Netherlands three points clear of Finland going into Sunday’s game between the two countries having played a game less than their opponents, the team knew that a win would ensure a World Cup qualification group finish above the visiting side.
That would mean guaranteeing finishing in the top-two, ensuring the worst-case scenario is a runner-up spot and a qualification play-off.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber was named in the starting lineup again, making his second appearance of the break. The defender had played 90 minutes against Malta, but he only got an hour here as the Netherlands walked to victory.
The Dutch side were 3-0 up by half-time, with Timber hitting the crossbar with a headed attempt. The Arsenal right-back was playing as a centre-back again, as he generally does for his national team.
But after passing the hour mark with the Netherlands still three goals ahead, Timber was withdrawn.
Given the 24-year-old’s injury problems over the last couple of seasons, it’s always a positive to see him not having to complete the full 180 minutes of an international break.
The match finished 4-0, with the Netherlands remaining undefeated in Group G. Their next match is against second-placed Poland on November 14th, and a win would confirm qualification to the World Cup.
A draw would also effectively confirm qualification, as Poland would then have a gap of three points and 13 goals to make up in one game. But a defeat would put the two level on points and send it to the last day.
It’s not quite done yet, but the Netherlands are certainly on the verge of making the tournament now.