Netherlands one up against Slovakia at interval; Arjen Robben scores
Netherland went into the locker rooms with a goal to their name against Slovakia, in their knockout match in the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2010, through another trademark strike by Arjen Robben.
Looking at the action on the pitch, the Dutch went a bit retro by fielding a team wearing numbers 1-11, which was a first at this World Cup.
It was a decent start by Slovakia. A Dutch attack broke down and Vlad Weiss skipped forward before feeding Erik Jendrisek on the edge of the box. Jendrisek let fly, but his shot fizzed just over the bar.
Moments later it was better by the Netherlands, who had their first decent bit of possession in the Slovakian half. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben had plenty of the ball, but could not break down a massed defence .
Still, Slovakia looked keen to get forward. Marek Hamsik slipped the ball through to Erik Jendrisek again, but the Dutch had men back and Jendrisek did not get enough behind his shot to trouble Maarten Stekelenburg, who watched it drift wide. At the other end, Dirk Kuyt also let fly but his low effort was also off target.
This game was still being played at a decent tempo, but a few passes had gone astray from both teams The Dutch came forward with purpose for the first time in a while. Robin van Persie slipped Wesley Sneijder in on the left-hand side of the area, and he tried to pick his spot - only to fire straight at Jan Mucha, who parried before pouncing on the loose ball.
The game had definitely settled down a bit, and Slovakia seemed to have their backs against the wall. The Dutch were having most of the possession.
Then came the moment of the half, a familiar sight; Arjen Robben galloped on to a ball over the top as the Dutch broke forward. He cut inside and smashed a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. It certainly was a fabulous finish.
Slovakia had shown some willingness to attack even before that Robben goal, but they had to show even more after that.
Slovakia had not managed much of a response since falling behind. To be honest, they could barely get out of their half.
Netherlands goal scorer Arjen Robben was the first man into referee Alberto Undiano's book for a handball, conceding a free-kick out on the left flank. Slovakia fired it into the box and Erik Jendrisek eventually got a shot away - but sliced it out for a throw.
Slovakia had a third free-kick in quick succession - this time it was about 40 yards from the goal. They kind of wasted that one, though, playing it out to the left and the expected cross never really materialised.
After a few more Dutch attacks the half ended 1-0 and looking at the way they have been playing there certainly are at least a couple of more goals to come in the 2nd half.
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