FIFA 2010 World Cup Netherlands(1) - Japan (0).Wesley SNEIJDER

The Oranje carnival rolled noisily into Durban on 19 June, but Bert van Marwijk's Netherlands team were forced to endure a tricky test against a disciplined Japanese outfit, the only goal of the game coming from Wesley Sneijder shortly after the break. Despite not having things their own way at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Dutch -- still without injured winger Arjen Robben -- will nevertheless be thrilled with their six points from two games and a spot at the top of Group E. The first half was a cagey affair, hardly matching the raucous energy and vibrant carnival up in the stands on a sun-soaked day in Durban. Japan, with ten men behind the ball for the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes, invited the Dutch to boss the possession and push forward. Yet there were precious few real chances as the Dutch struggled to find holes in the packed opposition rearguard. Wesley Sneijder's free-kick in the ninth minute soared harmlessly over Eiji Kawashima's crossbar and seconds later Dirk Kuyt tried an audacious bicycle kick from close in, well blocked by a defender. With Takeshi Okada looking to threaten on the break, the Dutch appeared reluctant to commit themselves fully forward. The result was an opening stanza that produced only two shots on goal, the first from Daisuke Matsui seven minutes before the break, as the Blue Samurai began to sharpen their blades late in the half. Rafael van der Vaart added the other in stoppage time, but it hardly had Kawashima worried. The ...



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