Riding on Japan keeper's massive blunder, The Netherlands snatch three easy points to secure a berth in the next round
Riding on Japan keeper's massive blunder, The Netherlands snatch three easy points to secure a berth in the next round
DURBAN: Wesley Sneijder's second-half goal handed Holland a narrow win over Japan in their second Group E match and put the Oranje within reach of the last 16 of the World Cup.
After a frustrating opening half for the Dutch side, they finally broke through in the 53rd minute with Sneijder's stinging drive was deflected by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima into his own net. Kawashima completely misjudged the ball as he fell in despair watching the ball crash into the net.
Japan had the best chance to level the score one minute from time but an unmarked substitute Shinji Okazaki fired over the bar from just 10 yards as Holland held on for victory.
The result handed the Oranje maximum points from their opening two fixtures in Group E.
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| Holland's Wesley Sneijder. Pic/AFP |
The Oranje, who had a sea of supporters at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, dominated possession but had just one shot on goal in the opening half. But midfielder Mark Van Bommel hailed the importance of picking up all three points against Japan and said: "We wanted the victory. Japan played defensively, we expected them to be more aggressive and offensive. It was a match of patience."Of course, we had some luck in the goal, in the end we could have won 2-0 after our counter-attacks. But Japan also had some chances."The Dutch will play their last match against Cameroon on June 24.
Holland vs Japan: Other Key moments
53rd minute
Van Persie lays the ball off at the edge of the box for Sneijder who slams a shot that Kawashima, diving to his right, gets a hand to but can only help on its way into the net.
86th minute
Holland miss a golden opportunity to put the match to bed as substitute Afellay chooses to take a shot rather than slip the ball to Persie, who was lurking inside the box.
88th minute
Afellay misses another golden opportunity as Klass Jan Huntelaar helps the ball on to the PSV man but once again Afellay can't push the ball past Kawashima.
90 th minute
Japan come close to salvaging a point as substitute Okazaki pounces on a loose ball inside the Dutch penalty area but shoots over the bar with his left foot.
