Netherlands 2 - Turkey 0; Romania 2 - Estonia 0; Hungary 2 - Andorra 0

Photo by Ozan Kose

Turkey were at home in Istanbul and needed simply to match the results of Romania and Hungary in order to qualify for the UEFA Playoffs.  The problem for Turkey was that group winners Netherlands were in town.  The Dutch grabbed an early lead as an Arjen Robben free kick was allowed to bounce into the back of the net as it avoided three heads during its flight.  Eventually, Turkey established a foothold in the match, but after a nice flicked-on header by Burak Yilmaz, Jeremain Lens made a sliding block to deny the scoring chance.  The Oranje led 1-0 at the break.

A set of intricate passing in the first minute of the second half saw the lead doubled.  Le\ns hit to Dirk Kuyt who immediately hit to Wesley Sneijder (pictured, white).  Sneijder finished for 2-0, but chose not to celebrate the goal as he plays in Instanbul for club side Galatasaray.  A Lens chipped shot was tipped over the ball by Turkey goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, but it was not enough to save his side.  Netherlands win 2-0, leaving Turkey with only the hope that both Andorra and Estonia could overturn 2-0 deficits elsewhere with no time on the clock.  It was not to be.

Hungary needed to defeat Andorra at home in Budapest and have neither Turkey nor Romania pick up victories in order to qualify for the UEFA Playoffs.  The first half featured many okay chances for Hungary, but their best came from Zoltan Steiber, whose effort was tipped over by a busy Andorra goalkeeper Ferran Pol.  The first half ended 0-0.

Hungary finally nosed ahead six minutes into the new half.  A Balazs Dzsudzsak cross was nodded into the ground for a bounce goal by Nemanja Nikolic.  The goal was Nikolic's first goal for Hungary.  Cristian Martinez nearly equalized for Andorra, but concentration paid off for Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly as he made the save despite the shot going through the legs of one of his defenders.  Vilmos Vanczak hit a dangerous cross into the Andorran box that was turned into the Andorran net by their own defender Ildefonso Lima, though to be fair, had Lima not made contact Nikolic would have had a shot from point-blank range.  Hungary coast to the finish line and win 2-0, but they needed help from Estonia if they were to reach the playoffs.  Turkey are eliminated by the result.

A win at home for Romania in Bucharest would send them into the playoffs barring a Turkish upset of the Dutch.  The visitors on this occasion were Estonia.  Estonia were surprisingly livelier than their hosts from the opening whistle.  Tarmo Kink sent a long strike goalbound after a weak turnover in their own defensive third from Romania, but Romania goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu parried to safety.  A savvy play from Bogdan Stancu as he received the ball in the Estonian box drew a penalty.  Stancu blocked Mikk Reintam from the ball and then fell when Reintam tried to kick around his body.  The penalty was converted.  Romania were ahead 1-0 at halftime and were heading to the UEFA Playoffs.

With a quarter hour left to play, a smooth bit of skill from Costin Lazar led to a cross that found Gheorghe Grozav at the back post, but his attempt was stopped by the reaction save of Estonia goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko.  With ten minutes to go, Romania finished the job.  Right back Alexandru Matel put in a cross that was headed into the goal by Ciprian Marica.  Romania win 2-0 and clinch their berth in the UEFA Playoffs, leaving Hungary eliminated in their wake.

Netherlands 28 pts IN
Romania 19 pts
Hungary OUT
Turkey OUT
Estonia OUT
Andorra OUT

Goals
Netherlands
Arjen Robben 7
Wesley Sneijder 46

Romania
Ciprian Marica 30 PK, 81

Hungary
Nemanja Nikolic 52
Ildefonso Lima 77 OG

Match Reports:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1812414-turkey-vs-netherlands-score-grades-and-post-match-reaction
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-hopes-of-world-cup-appearance-dashed-by-2-0-dutch-victory.aspx?pageID=238&nID=56298&NewsCatID=362
http://www.sbnation.com/2013/10/15/4841940/turkey-vs-netherlands-uefa-world-cup-qualifying-final-score-result
http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/10/15/turkey-falls-short-loss-to-the-netherlands-sends-romania-into-uefa-playoffs/
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/254426
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008614/postmatch/report/
http://www.uefa.com/worldcup/season=2014/matches/round=2000294/match=2008625/postmatch/report/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89B9FAvxR5w (Netherlands v. Turkey)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJRZdUsFKZ8 (Hungary v. Andorra)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCc0752CvyQ (Romania v. Estonia)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od1Fy55UhXM (Netherlands v. Turkey)