Oranje 2 sour for Danes
South Africa may not have any tulip trees, but with the seats of the Soccer City Stadium painted orange and a sea of fans all decked in the same colour, Holland started their World Cup campaign here on Monday with a 2-0 win in front of partisan fans on what seemed like home field.
An own-goal by Simon Poulsen at the start of the second-half and simple tap-in from Dirk Kyut ensured the Dutch got off to a winning start in the tournament.
Holland started the match in fine style and had a lion’s share of the early possession. Liverpool forward Kyut, who started in place of the injured Arjen Robben, had the first shot on goal in the 10th minute. However, his well-struck effort was fired straight at Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorenson who had no trouble collecting the ball.
The Danes created their first chance in the 26th minute when good work on the right flank by Thomas Kahlenberg almost paid dividends. The Wolfsburg winger crossed the ball to Nicklas Bendtner, whose header went narrowly wide.
The Arsenal striker went close again returned the favour in the 36th minute with an exquisite through ball, but Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg parried Kahlenberg’s left-footed strike.
Robin Van Persie had a chance as the first-half was winding down, but his strike from 10 yards out went the wrong side of the post.
Holland got the opening goal a minute after the restart. A long clearance from the back released van Persie on the left-flank, who floated in a cross into the six-yard box which Denmark defender Poulsen headed into his own net with the final touch coming of teammate Daniel Agger’s back.
Van Persie put the ball in the back of the net on the hour mark, but the linesman had already raised his flag and the goal was disallowed.
Influential midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who had an outstanding game in the middle of the park and orchestrated the team with aplomb, almost doubled the advantage in the 81st minute.
Post new comment