Holland 2 Slovakia 1 - Arjen Robben inspires workmanlike Holland into quarter-finals
Arjen Robben(credit:
Wikipedia)
Another workmanlike performance earned Holland a 2-1 win over Slovakia and a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Once again it was not a case of “Total Football” by the Dutch who are happily sacrificing style for substance in their bid to win the biggest tournament in international football.
Arjen Robben sent them on their way with a brilliant first –half strike and Slovakia did have chances to level before Wesley Sneijder added a second, with Robert Vittek’s fourth goal of the tournament mere consolation for his side.
Holland coach Bert van Marwijk named Robben in his starting XI for the first time in the tournament, while opposite number Vladimir Weiss recalled son, and namesake, Vladimir to his starting XI.
And it was the younger Weiss who created the first opening of the game, cutting inside and laying off for Erik Jendrisek but the Slovakian striker lifted his shot over the bar from just outside the area.
Marek Hamsik then had Maarten Stekelenburg scrambling as Slovakia were not overawed by the occasion.
At the other end Dirk Kuyt swung in a great cross for Robin van Persie but the Arsenal striker made a mess of his header and the ball was deflected wide.
Juraj Kucka rifled a shot just wide of Stekelenburg’s post as Slovakia threatened again, but it was Holland who opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
Sneijder’s stunning ball forward was collected by Robben and he cut inside to beat Jan Durica and Radoslav Zabavnik before rifled a low left-foot shot past Jan Mucha.
Kuyt then headed across goal and Jendrisek reacted quickly to clear the danger, and van Persie again failed to hit the target following a fine flowing move involving Robben and Mark van Bommel.
Robben was tormenting the Slovakians and forced a stunning one-handed save from Mucha just after the restart, and the Bayern Munich star then sent in a low cross for van Bommel but Mucha fortunately blocked the Dutchman’s shot with his face.
Slovakia came to life after the hour mark but Stekelenburg tipped over Miroslav Stoch’s powerful strike, and the Dutch goalkeeper again produced heroics to deny Vittek a minute later.
Holland were a threat on the break and Kuyt forced a decent save out of Mucha, while Vittek’s snapshot at the other end flew over the bar as Slovakia were running out of time.
And time was truly up with six minutes remaining when Kuyt beat Mucha to a long ball over the top and pulled back for the onrushing Sneijder to fire home Holland’s second.
Sneijder drilled a low effort just wide of the upright in added time, and with the last kick of the game Vittek gave Slovakia something to cheer from the penalty spot after Stekelenburg bundled over Martin Jakubko.
Holland: Stekelenburg, van der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst, van Bommel, Kuyt, De Jong, van Persie (Huntelaar 80), Sneijder (Affelay 90), Robben (Elia 71).
Goals: Robben 18, Sneijder 84
Slovakia: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Zabavnik (Jakubko 88), Weiss, Vittek, Stoch, Durica, Hamsik (Sapara 87), Jendrisek (Kopunek 71), Kucka.
Goal: Vittek pen 90
Bookings: Stekelenburg, Robben (Holland), Skrtel, Kucka, Kopunek (Slovakia)