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FIFA World Cup 2010 match 9 - Group E Denmark: Sorensen, Kjaer, Agger, Jacobsen, C.Poulsen, S.Poulsen, Jorgensen, Kahlenberg (Eriksen 72), Enevoldsen (Gronkjaer 56), Bendtner (Beckmann 62), Rommedahl. Holland: Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst, Van Bommel, De Jong (De Zeeuw 88), Sneijder, Van der Vaart (Elia 67), Kuyt, Van Persie, (Afellay 77). The entrance of the Dutch is something football fans generally look forward to at the World Cup but there was nothing to set the pulses racing as their latest campaign got under way. There was basically nothing to report whatsoever from the first half an hour of this game. Holland were having more possession but, lacking the pace and width of Robben, seldom looked likely to break a solid looking Danish defence down. Denmark themselves showed next to no ambition and rarely strung more than two passes together in an abject opening. There was just the hint, despite having nothing to do, that the Dutch defence might be vulnerable and so it proved when Denmark finally placed them under some sort of pressure. Agger swept a fine ball out to Rommedahl on the right and his centre found Bendtner close to goal but his header lobbed disappointingly wide. Rommedahl then forced Stekelenburg into a save before the Dutch defence parted alarmingly to allow Kahlenberg through for a shot that was well saved. Half time came as a relief to the tedium with Holland looking anything but potential challengers and Denmark surely sensing a possible upset. Half Time: Denmark 0 Holland 0 The game was then turned on its' head straight after the restart in bizarre circumstances. The Danish defence was caught out of position by a routine ball forward but there still seemed no danger as Van Persie centred from the left but Simon Poulsen made a horrendous mess of his attempted header clear and the ball ended up bouncing into the net off Agger and the far post. Any thoughts that this goal might make for a more committed contest were way off the mark as Denmark simply surrendered and the rest of the game was a stroll in the park for Holland who, not surprisingly, grew in confidence and assurance. The Dutch were also more lively after the introduction of Elia who added the width and pace their performance was crying out for. Sorensen was kept busy during the second period making saves from Van Persie, Van der Vaart and Elia while the crossbar rescued Denmark on one occasion when Sneijder's shot took a huge deflection off Agger. The game was finally killed off five minutes from time when Sneijder's astute pass put Elia through on goal. Sorensen managed to deflect his shot onto the post but Kuyt was following up to score into an empty net. Simon Poulsen then made a spectacular goalline clearance to deny Afellay but there was no repairing the damage of his earlier error. In the end a comfortable win for Holland but this was a poor game and a significant improvement will be required from the Dutch if they are to make any real impact at this tournament. Full Time: Denmark 0 Holland 2 Denmark Ratings: Sorensen 6, Kjaer 6, Agger 7, Jacobsen 5, C.Poulsen 6, S.Poulsen 5, Jorgensen 5, Kahlenberg 6 (Eriksen 3), Enevoldsen 3 (Gronkjaer 4), Bendtner 6 (Beckmann 1), Rommedahl 6. Holland: Stekelenburg 6, Van Der Wiel 5, Heitinga 6, Mathijsen 6, Van Bronckhorst 5, Van Bommel 7, De Jong 2, Sneijder 6, Van der Vaart 4 (Elia 7), Kuyt 5, Van Persie 6 (Afellay 4). Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France) 3 Good: Very little. Agger's sweeping pass out to Rommedahl in the first half was a moment of quality in a sea of dross. Bad: Simon Poulsen's ridiculous attempted clearance which gifted Holland their first goal. Even if he had headed it properly he was sending it back into the danger area instead of just helping it on its way and out for a corner. Schoolboy error. Ugly: Watching Johann Cruyff having to suffer the garbage that was the first half without even being able to have a crafty fag. Lifes a bitch, Johann.
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