The Oranje came into the game off the back of Saturday's disappointing friendly defeat by Australia and were expected to be seriously tested in Macedonia.

However, second-half goals from John Heitinga and Rafael van der Vaart sent Holland into a two-goal lead and they held on despite a spirited fightback from the hosts after Goran Pandev pulled a goal back from the penalty spot late on.

"This really is a relief," said Van Marwijk. "This victory is very important for us and we have made a good start."

The coach was not entirely happy with the manner of victory, however, saying: "We played the ball long too often in the first half. We must not do that because it means we never get into the game.

"At the end of the first half we started to play better and that continued in the second half. Macedonia played all or nothing in the last 10 minutes but we survived.

"All in all I am satisfied. I saw with my own eyes how difficult it is to beat Macedonia in Skopje but it's nice we succeeded unlike so many others."

Van der Vaart, who capped a fine individual performance with a crisp strike on the hour mark, claimed Holland will be one of few sides to come away from the eastern European nation with a result.

"It was a difficult game but we expected that," said the Real Madrid midfielder. "I don't think many teams will beat Macedonia on their own turf.

"They came back into the game with a penalty and then it was exciting. We should have played better towards the end because we had to or three counterattacking chances."

Captain Gio van Bronckhorst added: "We all gave our utmost, especially in the last 15 minutes when it was very nerve-wracking.

"In the first half we passed the ball a bit carelessly but after that it became better and we found the spaces to attack."