“But our focus is on the next two games”.
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Sneijder has urged his side to aim for maximum points against both Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic even though their fate ultimately remains out of their hands. That means the remaining drama lies largely in teams jockeying between second place (and an automatic berth) and third place (and a playoff), or among countries fighting simply to make the playoffs.
Netherlands are now nine points off group leaders Iceland.
The Dutch have a long injury list to contend with.
Turkey have been boosted by the inclusion of Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz, scorer of four goals in six qualifiers, in Fatih Terim’s squad having recovered in time from a hamstring injury.
In Group B, Gareth Bale has pushed Wales to the top of the standings, ahead of star-studded Belgium.
With full-backs Massadio Haidara, Paul Dummett and Kevin Mbabu also injured – the first two are still doubts for next weekend while the latter is out for a number of weeks – Steve McClaren could be left scratching around for makeshift defenders for the crucial clash with the Canaries. If it doesn’t come in Bosnia on Saturday, then likely in front of a home crowd against Andorra next Tuesday.
The Dutch need two wins to stand any chance.
Two-time reigning European champions Spain will be heavily favoured to book their place in France when they host Luxembourg on Friday.
Poland plays Scotland in Glasgow on Thursday before hosting Ireland in Warsaw on Sunday. “We have to win our next two games, it doesn’t matter how”.
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Northern Ireland leads Romania by one point, with Hungary three points further back. “It won’t be a walkover”.
