Sneijder fires Dutch win

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Wesley Sneijder fired the Netherlands to a comfortable 1-0 win over Japan and pole position in World Cup Group E here on Saturday.
After seeing off Denmark 2-0 in their opening match, the Dutch now sit atop their group on a maximum six points from two games, with Japan on three points having b

eaten Cameroon in their opener. Should Denmark and Cameroon draw, the Dutch will be guaranteed a berth in the second round, but a victory for either side would mean the Oranje are still not mathematical certs to progress.
After a goalless first half, which Japan dominated in the final minutes, the Dutch came out firing in the second period.
Japan’s Brazil-born defender Tulio Tanaka was called on to make four clearing headers in quick succession, but the fifth fell to the feet of Robin van Persie in the 53rd minute.
Under pressure, the Arsenal striker saw the ball squirt out to the edge of the area, where it was met by the booming right foot of Sneidjer, the midfielder unleashing a shot which Eiji Kawashima could only deflect into the goal netting.
But it was not all plain sailing for the Netherlands, who often became bogged down in midfield.
— AFP