Netherlands Dispose of Ireland, 2-0

ORLANDO, Florida -- The Netherlands rekindled memories of their heyday of a generation past and stamped their class on a 2-0 win over Ireland which swept them into the last eight of the World Cup on Monday. Dennis Bergkamp and Wim Jonk netted the first-half goals which led them into the quarterfinals for the first time since the zenith of their two appearances in the final in 1974 and 1978. Ireland battled back gamely in the second half and tried valiantly to get back on terms. But its limitations had been exposed and its brave World Cup odyssey, which had begun with a fairy-tale win over Italy ended in the steamy Citrus Bowl of Orlando. Inter Milan stars Bergkamp and Jonk fired the Netherlands to a 2-0 halftime.Bergkamp slid home the first in the 11th minute and at the 41st minute Irish goalkeeper pat Boner fumbled badly to let through Jonk's strike. There could have been even more for the Dutch, who created a series of chances in 33 degree Celsius heat in the Citrus Bowl. For the second game in a row, Ireland's Steve Staunton had the chance to strike for goal in the opening minute from a free kick wide on the right. For the second time he failed to capitalize.In the eighth minute, Peter van Vossen got past Terry Phelan on the right and sent over a low cross but Mark Overmars, with a clear shot on goal, miscued. In the 11th minute came a similar move and a goal. The left side of the Irish defense again was exposed as Phelan's weak back header to Phil Babb was intercepted by Overmars. He outpaced Phil Babb and slid the ball in front of goal and Bergkamp, chased by Paul McGrath, got there first to prod the ball home from eight meters. The Dutch were in good form, especially going forward.On Sunday Argentina, the runner-up at the last World Cup, was eliminated by Romania, who won 3-2 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.Much of the brilliance from the field emanated from the left foot of Romania's Gheorghe Hagi. Entering the game with two goals already, he scored another Sunday, and, equally important, dominated the midfield.Romanian coach Anghel Iordanescu said it was the greatest day for Romanians since the Communist dictatorship was overthrown in 1989. It was their greatest day ever in soccer but could be surpassed Saturday when it plays Sweden in the quarterfinals at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto.Sweden knocked out the last remaining Asian team, Saudi Arabia, 3-1 Sunday at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, playing an unexciting but effective brand of soccer to save themselves in the unaccustomed heat.Martin Dahlin scored in the sixth minute and Kennet Andersson scored twice in the second half.In Saturday's second-round matches, Germany bounced Belgium 3-2 and Spain swatted Switzerland 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.(Los Angeles Times, AP, Reuters)