Netherlands 2-0 Denmark

I'll tell you something for nothing; while we predicted the win, which is seven correct results out of nine now, we are a little disappointed with the performance from the Netherlands. They didn't really look the side we had expected - they looked more like England.

We mean no disrespect to England, it's just that should always do better than they do and you always think you'll get a great game and it is rate that you do. Today, the Dutch looked ordinary and if it wasn't for a lot of luck, they wouldn't have won.

The first goal was an own goal, scored moments after the second half resumed by Simon Poulsen and the second was scored after the ball came off the post, from probably the best chance the Dutch had in the whole game, and landed at the feet of Dirk Kuyt in the last five minutes.

You could argue that they were not pushed or threatened and it is valid and I hope that as the games get harder for them they will get better, but if it doesn't they won't go very far and certainly not where the 16 million people back home want them to go.

Netherlands

Stekelenburg, Van Der Wiel, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst (c), Van Bommel, De Jong, (De Zeeuw, 88), Sneijder, Van der Vaart (Elia, 67), Kuyt, Van Persie (Afellay, 77)

Denmark

Sorensen, Poulsen, Kjaer, Agger, Jacobsen, Poulsen, Jorgensen (c), Kahlenberg (Eriksen, 72), Enevoldsen (Gronkjaer, 56), Bendtner (Beckmann, 62), Rommedahl

The Netherlands, a team who has never won the World Cup but is always a threat, began the group stage against Denmark on Monday, June 14, 2010. A loss for Denmark would put them in a tough spot to qualify for the knockout stage so a result was crucial. The Dutch are the clear favorites to win the group.

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark Video Highlights

The match highlights can be found here at Free Soccer Highlights.

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark Recap

The Dutch would start the 2010 World Cup with a solid 2-0 win over fellow UEFA side Denmark.

Overall, it was a good performance from the Netherlands who had about 66% of possession and limited Denmark to three shots on goal. The goals for Holland were scored by Simon Poulsen (own goal) in the 46th minute and Dirk Kuyt in the 85th minute.

The Netherlands will place Japan next while Denmark faces Cameroon.

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Netherlands 2-0 Denmark Match Stats

Netherlands Denmark

19(6)	Shots (on Goal)	11(3)
13	Fouls	21
6	Corner Kicks	2
4	Offsides	2
66%	Time of Possession	34%
2	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
3	Saves	5