Wesley Sneijder Leads Netherlands Past Japan at World Cup

The game, played in the impressive Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, was decided by a fierce shot from Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder in the 53th minute of a game that unfolded like a chess match.

In the first half, the Japanese squad played defensively and managed to interrupt the supply channel from the Dutch midfield to their strikers. The tactical intervention stifled Dutch offensive play and led to monotonous passing in the midfield area.

The Dutch had a 74 percent ball possession advantage but couldn’t create any real chances in the first half. The Japanese played in a disciplined way, and watched for an opportunity to counter-attack and reach their star player Keisuke Honda. Yet, the first half produced no such opportunities.

During the break, the Dutch public looked for the entrance of left-winger Eljero Elia, who played a terrific match against Denmark. Yet, conservative coach Bert van Marwijk held on to his initial team and strategy.

With renewed vigor, the Dutch team got their goal when striker Robin van Persie passed back from the penalty area to the approaching Sneijder who needed little time to aim for goal with a lashing shot. The Japanese goalkeeper couldn’t control the shot that bounced from his hands and ended up in the far corner of the goal.

“I hit it well and the ball certainly wobbled in the air. I'm delighted it went in,” said Sneijder on FIFA.com.

After the goal, the game changed for the better. The Japanese were forced to let go of their defensive formation and attack, which led to more chances for both sides. The Japanese put up the pressure but the Dutch defense was, for once, the strongest part of the team.

In the last part of the game Dutch substitute Ibrahim Afellay had two great opportunities to lock the game up but failed to do so. The biggest chance for Japan came from another substitute, Shinji Okazaki, who just shot over the Dutch goal one minute before the end of the game.

At the final whistle of the game the Dutch players and coach seemed relieved and content. Yet, expectations of spectacular soccer will remain high when star winger Arjen Robben will be sufficiently recovered from a hamstring injury he suffered in the preparation for the World Cup.

"This just is not an easy World Cup. Japan was a dynamic playing team today and we are just happy that we have six points after two games. But indeed, we still have to play our best soccer," Wesley Sneijder told Dutch media.

Despite the loss, the Japanese still have a good chance to make it to the knockout phase after their 1–0 victory over Cameroon in the first group match. The three points after two games is not bad, but many Japanese supporters will have a slightly bad taste in their mouth after today’s match.

It appeared FIFA also did not find the game entertaining enough to watch intently as they awarded goal-scorer Wesley Sneijder with the Man of the Match award, as he played one of his weaker matches in a long time.

“We've yet to play our best football, but we have to be pleased with six points from two matches. Some of the big teams haven't managed that,” said Sneijder.

It has been said that the Dutch play like the Germans and the Germans play like the Dutch at this World Cup. The Dutch have a history of playing attractive attacking soccer and suffering unfortunate losses. The Dutch would say the Germans have a history of sober soccer and fortunate victories.