EINDHOVEN. Ne therlands. Nov 10: The Netherlands favourites to qualify lor the World Cup finals from European Group Seven, went on the rampage on Saturday, thrashing an under-strength Wales 7-1 in a qualifier at the Philips Stadium, reports Reuter.

The biggest World Cup win by the Dutcn for 23 years, since a Johan Cruyff-inspired side demolished Iceland 8-1 in a qualifier in 1973. was also their fifth straight win over the Welsh.

The Dutch, who beat Wales 3-1 In Cardiff last month in their group opener, maintained their 100 per cent start to the group courtesy of a hattrick from Arsenal's Dennis Bergkamp and a goal apiece from the De Boer twins. Phillip Cocu and Win Jonk.

Wales, outclassed and run ragged, managed a single Dean Saunders strike in reply, but their evening was summed up with the customary caution for Vinnie Jones, made captain for his World debut aged 31. for a clumsy rather than malicious first half challenge on Clarence Seedorf.

Missing five Ajax stalwarts, as well as experienced defenders Johan de Kock and Stan Valek and Manchester United's Jordi Cruyff, the Dutch began scrap-ply as they were harried and hustled by the Welsh.

But after 10 minutes, the home side began slicing through the Welsh back-line with almost every attacks.

Veteran keeper Neville Southall, winning his 89th cap. made a strong of diving saves as an orange tide swelled.

Midway through the first half, the pressure told and the tide became irresistible.

After Andy Melville had felled Bergkamp. Jonk shaped to hit a long-range free-kick, but slipped the ball to the side of the Welsh wall. Bergkamp tapjied it back to Ronald de Boer whose shot was parried by Southhall and Bergkamp pounced on the rebound.

Ten minutes later Ronald de

Boer lapped in a rebound after a fierce Seedorf strike had again brought valiant, but vain, defence from Southhall.

In the next attack, PSV midfielder Jonk. tall and elegant, strode through five Welsh defenders on the edge of the box to

beat Southall with an angled toe-poke.

Wales, torn apart at the back, found time to get one back. Arsenal s John Hartson galloped down the right to find Saunders with a long, raking pass. The Nottingham Forest strikers slightly mis-timed shot beat Edwin van Der Sar to make it 3-1.

But the relief was shortlived. Seconds before halftime. Frank de Boer joined his twin brother on the score-sheet, heading home a near-post corner.

Wales began the second period dinging deep, bin could only hold the rampaging Dutch at bay for 20 minutes

Bergkamp swung a ball from the left which Cocu. with the faintest of touches, slipped past Southall and. with the Dutch now eying the record books, provider Bergkamp turned scorer, tapping in a Numan cross for his second of the game.

Moments later Bergkamp bagged his hattrick as a long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Gary Speed.

Welsh coach Bobby Gould, hampered by the absence of Chelsea striker Mark Hughes. Manchester United's Ryan Giggs. Nathan Blake and skipper Barry Horne, simply did not have the players with the technique to withstand a sublime Dutch performance.

The win puts the Netherlands on six points, level with Belgium after two games. Wales have six points from four games.