Dutch Pain is Denmark’s Gain

Arjen Robben (Photo: Wikipedia)

Group B:
Holland vs Denmark (0:1)
Metalist Stadion, Kharkiv.

Focus on Holland.

Holland were European Champions back in 1988 and Denmark won the competition four years later; two former winners battling to stay alive in the ‘Group of Death’.

Neither team showed too much urgency to their game; the first twenty minutes played almost at walking pace.

Holland 0 – Denmark 1
Then Denmark punished the Dutch for their complacency in the 24th minute; Michael Krohn-Dehli cutting in on the left side of the penalty area and firing the ball through Maarten Stekelenburg’s legs.

A little wakeup call for the Dutch but the alarm bell didn’t seem to ring in too many ears.

Even the Danish goalkeeper, Stephan Andersen, seemed to fall asleep when he stabbed the ball out nonchalantly – to Arjen Robben. After missing a penalty for Bayern Munich in the Champions League final against Chelsea, the Bayern star shook his head when his curled shot hit the post.

Half-time: Holland 0 – Denmark 1

No great panic from Holland at the start of the second-half, but there appeared to be a little more snap to the passing and more purpose in their forward movement.

Maarten Stekelenburg had to be alert to keep the Dutch at bay.

At the other end, Holland looked terribly suspect at the back. So much so that Denmark almost walked the ball into the net, against the run of play, ten minutes after the restart.

In an attempt to introduce a little more attacking spark in the final twenty minutes  Holland replaced Nigel De Jong and Ibrahim Afellay with Rafael van der Vaart and Klaas Jan Huntelaar.

The move almost paid dividends but Andersen smothered the ball at the feet of Van Persie and Huntelaar.

Credit to Denmark for not being intimidated under the early pressure; holding on to their lead and not withering in the humidity; even looking to extend their advantage.

With one last throw of the dice, Holland bought on Dirk Kuyt for Gregory Van Der Wiel.

Final score: Holland 0 – Denmark 1

Teams

1-Maarten Stekelenburg; 13-Ron Vlaar, 3-John Heitinga, 15-Jetro Willems, 2-Gregory Van Der Wiel; 8-Nigel De Jong, 6-Mark Van Bommel, 20-Ibrahim Afellay, 11-Arjen Robben; 16-Robin Van Persie, 10-Wesley Sneijder.

1-Stephan Andersen; 4-Daniel Agger, 3-Simon Kjaer, 5-Simon Poulsen, 6-Lars Jacobsen; 21-Niki Zimling, 7-William Kvist, 9-Michael Krohn-Dehli, 10-Dennis Rommedahl; 11-Nicklas Bendtner, 8-Christian Eriksen.

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