DHAKA: The Netherlands and Italy have become the first two European countries to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.

Robin van Persie scored twice as the Dutch beat Andorra 2-0, and Turkey`s 2-0 win in Romania ensured they could not be overtaken at the top of Group D.

Italy just needed to beat the Czech Republic to qualify, and goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Balotelli overturned an early Libor Kozak strike.

Belgium, Germany and Switzerland need two points to secure a place in Brazil.

Germany guaranteed at least a play-off spot with a 3-0 victory in the Faroe Islands thanks to goal from Arsenal`s Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil and a third from Thomas Muller.

Bosnia-Hercegovina and Greece both secured at least a spot in the play-offs in Group G, while France are likely to be in the play-offs after their 4-2 win in Belarus put them level on points with Group I leaders Spain, who have a game in hand.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0929 HRS, SEP 11, 2013
RS/BSK