A 2-0 victory for Netherlands leaves Denmark quivering. This was an aggressive game by the Dutch and a real preview as to what we can expect from the team in this World Cup.
What we expected?
A Toss Up game with a slight lean towards the Dutch.
Netherlands is a strong team and a bit of a sleeper hit within the world cup. We would keep an eye out for Van Persie and de Jong, two great players who seem to be ready for a fight at this 2010 World Cup.
On the other side Denmark looks a little rough on the onset – they’ve got a laundry list of injuries prior to this game including goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen. However, we still believe that this is the most talented team they’ve ever brought to the world cup and could just be the team that takes them to the second round.
First Half
The game starts off with a strong Dutch possession. A free kick from Netherland’s Sneijder hits it way over the goal, and another strike a couple of minutes later with a right footed kick 25 yards away from the goal – this gets easily blocked by Sorensen. That doesn’t deter them – Van der Vaart tries again.. twice.. Both fail to make it to the back of the net.
Out of nowhere, Denmark’s Nicklas Bendtner gets a header that could have made the first goal of the game – Sadly, Thomas Eenvoldsen was right there ready and waiting.
The 44th minute met with our first yellow card from Netherland’s Nigel de Jong for being a little too aggressive to his Danish counterpart.
Other than that, the first half was a little slow – While the Dutch have been much more aggressive than the Danes with possession, it seems as though the Danish have squandered much more chances at goal.
Second Half
The second half started in a flurry with a pass from de Jong to Van Persie. Van Persie crosses the ball to Poulsen who heads the ball, off the back of Agger and into the net and leads the team 1-0.
A few moments later, the second yellow card is handed out to Van Persie for his challenge to Kjaer and within twenty minutes we see Kjaer fouled for a challenge against Sneijder. Nothing is getting by this French referee it seems.
The game ends with the Netherlands making some great moves at the box. A substitution that brings in Elia gives the Netherlands more aggressive momentum in the second half of the game.
It becomes clear that a goal is in the air and by the 85th minute, this becomes a reality as Dutch star Kuyt gets a goal after an attack at the goal post. At least this one was by a Dutch player.
What’s Next?
Keep an eye out on June 19th for Netherlands vs. Japan (7:15pm ET) and Denmark vs. Cameron (2:15pm ET).
Comments
No comments.