Netherlands vs Slovakia Result - Second Round
posted Jun-29 | 539 hits
Netherlands vs Slovakia Final Score : 2-1 We update World Cup 2010 match Netherlands vs Slovakia result ( also Slovakia vs Netherlands result ), information, review, analysis, also match Netherlands vs Slovakia video and photos. Netherlands vs Slovakia Stadium : Durban Mabhida Time : June 28, 2010 - 16:00 South Africa time Type : Second Ground Match - The World Cup 2010 Result
Netherlands vs Slovakia result ( also SlovakiaNetherlands result ) Netherlands vs Slovakia Final Score : 2-1 Netherlands Goals : Robben (18"), Sneijder (84") Slovakia Goal : Vittek (93") Referee : Alberto Undiano
Road to second round of Slovakia : Slovakia vs New Zealand (1-1) Slovakia vs Paraguay (0-2) Slovakia vs Italy (3-2) Netherlands vs Slovakia Preview : Unbeaten Holland will take on Slovakia at Durban Stadium in Durban on June 28 in an attempt to win their first World Cup. Holland, who ended up in first place in Group E after wins over Denmark (2-0), Japan (1-0), and Cameroon (2-1), are one of only two teams to win all three of their group games. Argentina was the other. The Dutch have looked impressive so far with their ability to score goals when needed and have generally done a good job of limiting their opposition’s chances.
The Slovakians have been a bit of an enigma so far. They ended up in second place in Group F after drawing New Zealand 1-1, losing 2-0 to Paraguay, and beating the reigning World cup champions Italy 3-2 to advance to the playoff round. Slovakia’s offense was almost non-existent in the first two games, but came to life against the Italians just in time.
Holland has a strong ream all the way through with no apparent weak spots. Their attacking options are endless with forwards Dirk Kuyt, Robin Van Persie, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Arjen Robben, and midfielder Wesley Sneijder all capable of putting the ball in the net. They also take care of their own end of the pitch in an orderly fashion with John Heitinga and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst leading the way at the back.
Slovakia will have to hope their offensive performance against Italy was a sign of things to come and not just a one-off thing. They have decent firepower up front with Robert Vittek, who banged in two against Italy, but need to create chances instead of sitting back and waiting. And with 10 players aged 25 and under, should have the energy to do it. Captain Marek Hamsik is strong in midfield along with Kamil Kopunek, with defenders Martin Skrtel, and Radoslav Zabavnik playing well in the back four.
Holland and Slovakia have met nine times before with Slovakia winning six of them, losing two, and drawing one. They have also outscored Holland 17 to 8 in those games, so their past record should give them some added confidence heading into this match, if it’s not sky high already after knocking off Italy.
Slovakia will have to create and take their chances against Holland to win the game. Just creating a few chances in each half won’t do it if they don’t bury any of them. They also need to be ready for the Dutch onslaught and defend well, while quickly moving the ball up field and matching Holland in pace. Holland can just keep playing the same way they have during the first three games and they shouldn’t run into any trouble. However, it would be interesting to see how they react if they fall behind.
Netherlands vs Slovakia Analysis : Arjen Robben made an immediate impact on his first start for the Netherlands as he scored early on to sink Slovakia. Wesley Sneijder made the game safe in the final ten minutes as the Dutch progressed to the quarter-finals, before Robert Vittek netted a penalty with the last kick of the game. Netherlands have now won all four games at the World Cup and will meet the winner of Brazil's clash with Chile on Friday in Port Elizabeth.
The game at the Moses Mabhida stadium offered two contrasting styles, with the Oranje pursuing a patient passing game while Slovakia adopted a more direct approach to try to utilise Vittek's pace.
Robben earned his first start at the World Cup after recovering from a calf injury and he terrorised Slovakia's defence with pace and skill before being replaced after the hour mark.
Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss made just one change to the side that knocked Italy out of the tournament.
The Slovaks, looking to upset another World Cup heavyweight, started in confident fashion and had the first chance after two minutes but Erik Jendrisek's left-footed strike from 25 yards went over the bar.
Netehrlands struggled to break down Slovakia's defence and were limited to long-range shooting. Sneijder tried his luck from distance and his effort went high and wide while shortly after, Dirk Kuyt fired just wide of the near post.
In the 10th minute, Sneijder should have done better after being set up inside the area by Van Persie. However, the Inter Milan forward shot straight at Slovakia goalkeeper Jan Mucha.
It did not take long for Holland to go in front, though. A great long ball from Sneijder found Robben and the Bayern Munich winger cut inside two defenders before firing a left-footed strike into the net.
On the half-hour mark, Miroslav Stoch got the ball into the danger zone but no-one was there to get on the end of his cross.
Van Marwijk's side were happy to sit on their lead with Slovakia unable to put a good move together. Robin van Persie should have doubled Netherlands' lead before half-time but his close-range shot from Mark van Bommel's cross went wide.
Slovakia showed more determination after the restart but it was the Oranje who looked more deadly. Mucha was twice called into action to prevent them from extending their lead.
The Slovakia goalkeeper was forced to fully stretch to make a one-handed save from Robben's shot and, seconds later, Mark van Bommel's close-range shot was parried away by Mucha.
Stekelenburg made his first save of the afternoon in the 65th minute by palming over Stoch's right-footed strike from the edge of the area. Slovakia should have equalised seconds later but Vittek's effort was parried away by Stekelenburg.
At the other end, Kuyt latched onto Sneijder's free-kick but his header went over the bar. In the 73rd minute, Kuyt warmed the hands of Mucha with a stinging drive from 25 yards and Holland ended Slovakia's hopes in the 84th minute. Kuyt fed Sneijder and he struck the ball home from 15 yards.
With seconds remaining, Vittek coolly scored from the penalty spot to score his fourth goal of the World Cup, but it was too little, too late.
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