Match Report: Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
Match Report: Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
By Amit Katwala, writing from London
The Netherlands got off to a solid start in front of 83,000 in Soccer City, running out 2-0 winners over Denmark. They started slowly in a dull first half, with repeated Mexican waves from the overwhelmingly orange crowd (always a good indicator of poor entertainment value). Although their passing in midfield was crisp and precise, they created little in the final third, Arsenal striker Robin van Persie spurning their only real opening with a poor right footed attempt from just inside the box.
Denmark looked dangerous on the break, and more direct, with van Persie’s teammate Bendtner showing some good touches to create openings for his teammates. Rommedahl also looked good for the Danes, troubling Gio van Bronckhorst, and crossing for Bendtner, who wasted the clearest opening of the first half, heading a Rommedahl cross wide from a few yards.
The second half was not much of an improvement, despite the Dutch taking the lead through a freak own goal after less than a minute. A pass from Sneijder released van Persie down the inside left channel, and his cross was headed into his own net by Danish left back Simon Poulsen, via the back of teammate Daniel Agger. Despite the goal, both teams seemed to continue playing as they had during the first half, creating few chances, and generally not playing very well.
