Holland took on Slovakia in the second round of the World Cup. The Dutch were overwhelming favourites, having come through their group with a 100% record. But Vladimir Weiss Sr’s men had already caused one shock in the tournament by putting out defending champions Italy.
With Conor Hogan
Holland 2-1 Slovakia
Wrap up:
I don’t think 2-1 is really a fair reflection of the the game. Holland really impressed me in that second half, and could have scored far more than two goals. I fancy them to beat Brazil (if they overcome Chile today) in the quarter finals. Yeah, I said it. Holland will beat Brazil. I predict an end to their years of being a serial bottler. Robben was extremely impressive careering down the right wing, and his goal was one of the best of the tournament so far.
Slovakia were poor for a lot of the game, but came into their own for periods of the second half. They had a few great chances, Vittek in particular missed a couple of sitters. But they were comfortably outplayed for most of the game, and it would’ve been unfair if they got a result. They might be dangerous opponents for Ireland in the European qualifiers though.
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Goodbye and good luck.
“Holland are winning too easily, but their winning,” says John Giles, “It’s a good sign, as you know they can play better.” Liam Brady adds, “I though the Slovaks picked it up as well in the second half. They can go home with their heads held high.”
Liam Brady is delighted with the result, having backed the Dutch at 10/1 at the start of the tournament.
Full time
The replay shows that the penalty was harsh. Jakubko took a bit of a dive. Vittek slots away the pen for his fourth goal of the World Cup. It’ll just be a consolation as it will probably be the last kick of the game.
Goal Slovakia
Stekelenburg brings down Jakubko. The Dutch goalie will take it.
Penalty to Slovakia
Sneijder goes off, Ibrahim Afellay comes on. He almost scores with his first touch, but his shot goes narrowly wide.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time. The ref should just blow the whistle right now.
Sneijder played a terrific through ball to Klaas Van Huntelaar, but the AC Milan player was offside. He missed anyway. Sapara comes on for Marek Hamsik, who was very poor, and Jabubko comes on for Zabavnik. All 20 outfield players have featured for Slovakia in this World Cup now.
Martin Skrtel was out of position, remonstrating with the ref. Holland took a quick free-kick, Kuyt made a good run, played it back to Sneijder, who put it home easily. Game over!!!
Goal Holland
Klass Jan Huntelaar was looking for a penalty but he was never going to get it. To use another cliche, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other. A Slovakian free-kick is harmlessly headed away.
It’s incredibly windy at the moment. Vittek is played in again and messes up a great opportunity. Klass Jan Huntelaar is brought on for Robin Van Persie. He is furious with Bert Van Marwijk.
Kuyt tries his look from 24 yards, and Mucha knocks it out for a corner. Elia dribbles past Pekarik, but his cross is awful. We have a proper game on our hands now though.
Eljero Elia is coming on for Arjen Robben. For Slovakia Kamil Kopunek comes on as a substitute for the underperforming Erik Jendrisek. Kopunek is booked within 20 seconds of coming on for a tackle on Elia.
Out of nothing, Stoch nearly equalised for Slovakia. His shot from outside the is dealt with by the Dutch goalie. Then almost immediately afterwards Vittek was played in, but Stekelenburg pulled off a great save from about six yards. It’s a cliche but 1-0 is a dangerous lead. Slovakia have woken up.
The electrifying Robben makes another great run, before playing a pass to Sneijder, who blasts the ball at a defender. Sneijder appears to be injured, which is a worry for the Dutch.
Slovakia have been very poor in this second half, it’s all Holland. If they play like this in the European qualifiers, I’d reckon Ireland will have a great chance against them. Juraj Kucka has a shot from long distance that was going wide. Stekelenburg got a touch to it, but the ref didn’t give a corner.
Van Bommel plays a great through ball to Robben, who gets past a couple of Slovakian defenders, before playing a low ball across the box that no Dutch player can get near. Then Robben wins a free, which Van Persie plays in. Mucha punches clear and Kuyt is penalised for fouling the Slovakian keeper. Mucha will be joining Everton next season.
A poorly timed Van Persie tackle results in an injury to Radoslav Zabavnik. It looks like a bad one and he will have to be replaced.
Mucha gathers a decent free-kick crossed into the box by Sneijder. The Dutch have started this second half like they mean business.
Robben almost scores another cracker. Terrible clearance goes straight to Robben, who has a great shot from 25 yards that is saved by Jan Mucha. Then seconds later Mucha pulls off a wondersave from a Joris Mathijsen from only five yards.
Famous Slovakians: Josef Murgas (inventor of the wireless telegraph), Stefan Banic (inventor of the parachute), Andreas Jaszlinszky (physisist).
Second half kicks off. No changes at half time. Steven Alkin points out that the Durban Stadium has a “magnificent roof,” and it does but I’d take a decent pitch over a great roof anyday.
Gary Lineker reckons that it hasn’t been a good game so far. I thought it was quite good, but maybe that’s because I was doing the match-tracker for the Portugal v Brazil game. The outstanding goal by Robben is the obvious highlight. Slovakia haven’t created a lot, and Holland are quite comfortable at the moment. But the Slovakians aren’t lacking in effort. I’ve been disappointed by Marek Hamsik, who hasn’t done an awful lot.
Half time
The possession is pretty even at the moment. Holland have had 52% to Slovakia’s 48%. Holland have had seven shots to Slovakia’s five.
Despite looking quite elderly, Robben is in fact the second fastest footballer with a ball at his feet in the World, according to Der Spiegel. Cristiano Ronaldo is the fastest at 34km per hour, Robben clocks in at 32.9km per hour, Walcott clocks in at 32.7km per hour, Rooney’s average speed is 32.6km. Van Persie (32.1km per hour) just kicked the ball straight at Mucha from outside the box.
The pitch today at the Durban Stadium is absolutely dreadful. It is to both team’s credit that we are getting such a good game. Slovakia haven’t become too disheartened following Robben’s wonderstrike. We’ve got two Jabulani balls on the field at the moment.
Stoch’s free kick causes a bit of trouble in the Dutch box, which De Jong clears. Then Robben gets a ridiculous yellow card after the ball hits him on the arm. What’s he meant to do? Cut it off?
“That Robben lad is unreal. Quality for club and country. Who would have thought a 45-year-old would be that good?” asks Simon from Galway.
The Dutch have had 60% of the ball so far. The look extremely comfortable right now, playing keep-ball. Stekelenburg is practically a spectator. Van Persie’s cross into the box goes off Pekarik for a corner. It is easily cleared.
Robben scored 23 goals in 37 games for Bayern this season. It’s his 15th in 49 internationals. Holland are almost lucky he was injured for the group stages, what a player to have to come back into your team.
Typical Robben goal. A speculative ball over the top by Sneijder is picked up by the Bayern Munich man, who makes a run down the right wing, before cutting in onto his left foot and blasts the ball into the back of the net from 25 yards. A piece of liquid genius.
Goal Holland
Slovakia started well but Holland have had some good opportunities in the last few minutes. Sneijder has been particularly dangerous.
Obligatory Vuvuzela review: really really horrible today. Some fans could make a tune with them, obviously not the Dutch or the Slovaks.
Van Persie almost played through, beating the offside trap, but Mucha gathers it comfortably.
Van Persie has a chance from a Dirk Kuyt cross, but his header is poor and it goes out for a corner. The Dutch don’t do anything with it.
Another speculative shot from Slovakia. This time Marek Hamsik sees his shot go just wide. Nice open game so far.
“If the Dutch play the same way they did in the last 3 games I could see Slovakia giving them a good game today! Still think Holland will win but it will be close. 2-1 I say,” says Frank from Mayo. I think it’ll be more comfortable than that, Frank. I reckon Holland will get three goals.
Game kicks off. Arjen Robben gets robbed after his first touch. Jendrisek has a great shot go just over after some good play by Vladimir Weiss Jr.
We’ve switched to BBC HD here at JOE. It’s like I’m actually there, except not really. Vittek has scored three goals for Slovakia in this tournament, but didn’t score once in qualifying.
Liam Brady, “It could go to extra-time, with thrills and spills.” Doesn’t sound as funny written down, but it was hilarious the way he said it. He’s turning into my favourite RTE analyst.
I shouldn’t really call them Holland. It’s the Netherlands. Holland is really only the western provinces of that country. But I’ll continue to call them that because I want to.
Holland are currently on a 21 match unbeaten run. I think you’ll admit that’s a pretty long time. Marek Hamsik will be important for Slovakia. Click on the hyperlink to see our shop window feature on him.
1429:
Slovakia have just as good a record as Holland in matches between the two teams. Admittedly, this is because the two teams have never met before in international football. Holland haven’t looked that impressive in any of their matches so far, but have won every game. Slovakia were poor against New Zealand and Paraguay, before beating a shambolic Italian team. Arjen Robben returns, so I have to go for the Dutch. I backed them to get all the way to the final at the start of the tournament, and everyone at JOE laughed at me. Nothing I’ve seen so far would change my opinion.
Team news:
Holland: Maarten Stekelenburg; Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst; Mark van Bommel, Nigel de Jong; Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben; Robin van Persie.
Slovakia Jan Mucha; Peter Pekarik, Martin Skrtel, Jan Durica, Radoslav Zabavnik; Juraj Kucka, Marek Hamsik; Vladimir Weiss, Miroslav Stoch, Erik Jendrisek; Robert Vittek.
Referee Alberto Undiano (Spain).
