The emphatic victory that Dutch fans may have been hoping for in their second group game did not arrive although Holland became the first team to qualify for the second round of the World Cup.
The Dutch struggled just as much as Cameroon did to rip open the Japanese defence, which stayed solid and compact for long periods of the game. It was only a solid strike from Wesley Sneijder and a piece of bad goalkeeping that allowed Holland to become the first team to make it into the last sixteen.
Japan still have a narrow chance of making it out of the group although it was clear from the Denmark v Cameroon match that they are the least creative side in the group. They will have to come up with something different against Denmark in order to be the team that make it through with the Netherlands.
Holland fans will be worried after the side could not convert more chances into goals. The side looked a lot more fluent than in the first match with the Danes but there is still work to be done ahead of difficult matches to come.
The Netherlands
The Dutch seemed to address the problem, which plagued them during their opening game against Denmark. Although Elia did not start the match, the side managed to spread the ball much wider in order to create better chances.
Both of the full backs in the Dutch side managed to get forward and pass the ball in behind the Japanese defence. This was an important part of their play as the Japanese proved very difficult to break down during normal play.
The Netherlands controlled the midfield area and their defence was hardly tested. However, they cannot allow even the slightest signs of complacency to leak into the team because this could be a major weakness for when they have to play much stronger teams.
Japan
The Japanese play very stubborn football and this was demonstrated again as it was clear that the side were going for a point and a point only. They will go into the last sixteen with a high goal tally and a clean sheet against Denmark in their final group game.
Japan defend very well but they have to be more expansive and creative in the midfield and in the attacking areas of the pitch. They are not going to go anywhere if they do not get forward and try to score a goal. This will ultimately be the main reason they do not qualify if they do not beat Denmark in their last game.
The Japanese passing has to be much better. Japan gave the ball away far too easily, which you cannot do against a better team. Although Holland did not punish them greatly in this respect, giving the ball away can often lead to unnecessary and stupid goals.
Betting Advice
Holland are through but they are not likely to take their foot off of the gas. They play Cameroon in their last group game who have already been knocked out of the World Cup and therefore a Dutch victory can be confidently backed.
The Dutch strikers still have a lot to prove and there will be one or two who are intent in getting a goal in their last game and could be worth a punt to score at any time against Cameroon.
If Japan are going to win their last game and go through with the Dutch then it will only be by the odd goal. They do not play expansive and exciting football, which means any win they have will be by one or two goals only.
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