Netherlands are taking their place, insists Boulahrouz

Khalid Boulahrouz insists Netherlands are not taking their place at the World Cup for granted ahead of their crucial qualifier against Scotland. The Dutch sit at the summit of Group Nine with a 100 per cent record in the qualifying campaign so far thanks to wins over Macedonia, Iceland and Norway.

Scotland are their closest rivals in second spot with just four points from their opening three matches. But Boulahrouz does not believes Holland’s place at the finals in 2010 is guaranteed just yet despite enjoying excellent form so far.

“I don’t look forward that far,” he said. “I don’t think about things that are not concrete. We are not there yet. The outside world may think differently but a lot must happen before we qualify.”