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German and the Netherlands struggle into World Cup
LONDON (AP) -- Germany and the Netherlands were unconvincing qualifiers while Italy can still go out in the playoffs. And England's triumphant return to the World Cup soccer tournament was accompanied by the once familiar sight of its fans clashing with police.Germany and the Netherlands only needed a point to guarantee their spots in the tournament, but made it look like hard work. Germany needed a late strike from Oliver Bierhoff to down Albania 4-3.
"We were a generous host," said German coach Berti Vogts, whose team was without injured striker Juergen Klinsmann.
Bierhoff finished with two goals. Thomas Helmer and Olaf Marschall had the others.
The Netherlands, despite having Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert, battled to a 0-0 tie at home with Turkey.
England's impressive 0-0 tie in Rome against Italy was the highlight of Saturday's 22 qualifying games.
England, needing a tie to advance to the World Cup tournament after missing the 1994 event, yielded few chances to Italy. Now the Italians, who reached the final of the '94 World Cup, must go through a tense playoff in order to qualify for next summmer's competition in France.
English team captain Paul Ince, who spent two seasons in Serie A with Inter Milan, had an inspirational performance after being forced to leave the game midway through the first half for treatment to a nasty head cut.
After an accidental collision with Italy's Demetrio Albertini, the Liverpool midfielder needed six stitches to close the wound and finished the game with a bloodstained shirt and his head swathed in bandages.
"It's got to be up there as one of my greatest nights, without a doubt," said Ince. "I've played in a lot of big games, cup finals, done a lot of good things, but this meant more than any of them.
"That shows how much we felt for the game. For me it's right up there with everything I've done in my career."
The depressing sight of Italian police baton-charging England fans inside the Olympic stadium took some of the sheen off the English triumph.
Thousands of fans who bought tickets originally intended for Italian spectators began trading missiles with rival supporters and violence flared when police moved in to keep them apart.
On Sunday, English fans and officials representing the English Football Association blamed "shambolic" security and ticketing arrangements as well as an over-reaction by the police for the violence even though many of the English fans were reportedly drunk.
Denmark and Austria were the two other group winners to qualify Saturday along with Scotland, which gained a place as the best runner-up.
The 10 European qualifiers so far are Romania, Norway, Bulgaria, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, England, Denmark, Austria and Scotland. Four more qualifiers will advance in playoffs involving second-place teams.
Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Yugoslavia, Belgium, Ireland and Ukraine will go into the draw today in Zurich for playoff games October 29 and Nov. 15.
NEXT ROUNDS: Round of 16 || Quarter-finals || Semi-finals
GROUP A: Brazil, Morocco, Norway, Scotland
GROUP B: Austria, Cameroon, Chile, Italy
GROUP C: Denmark, France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
GROUP D: Bulgaria, Nigeria, Paraguay, Spain
GROUP E: Belgium, Holland, Mexico, South Korea
GROUP F: Germany, Iran, United States, Yugoslavia
GROUP G: Colombia, England, Romania, Tunisia
GROUP H: Argentina, Croatia, Jamaica, Japan