WORLD CUP
National Stadium
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy | Attendance: 83465
* Local time based on your geographic location.
Watch Live on: ESPN, ESPN3.com, MobileTV, ESPN 3D
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Goal
Shot
Video
Goal
Shot
Video
Shots (on goal)
tackles
Fouls
possession
Netherlands
-
58%
42%
Denmark
Netherlands
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Maarten Stekelenburg |
D |
2 | Gregory Van Der Wiel |
D |
3 | John Heitinga |
D |
4 | Joris Mathijsen |
D |
5 | Giovanni Van Bronckhorst |
M |
6 | Mark Van Bommel |
M |
7 | Dirk Kuyt |
M |
8 | Nigel De Jong |
| M | 14 | Demy De Zeeuw |
M |
23 | Rafael Van der Vaart |
| M | 17 | Eljero Elia |
F |
9 | Robin Van Persie |
| M | 20 | Ibrahim Afellay |
F |
10 | Wesley Sneijder |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 22 | Sander Boschker |
| G | 16 | Michel Vorm |
| D | 12 | Khalid Boulahrouz |
| D | 13 | Andre Ooijer |
| D | 15 | Edson Braafheid |
| M | 11 | Arjen Robben |
| M | 14 | Demy De Zeeuw |
| M | 17 | Eljero Elia |
| M | 18 | Stijn Schaars |
| M | 19 | Ryan Babel |
| M | 20 | Ibrahim Afellay |
| F | 21 | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar |
Denmark
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Thomas Sorensen |
D |
3 | Simon Kjaer |
D |
4 | Daniel Agger |
D |
6 | Lars Jacobsen |
D |
15 | Simon Poulsen |
M |
2 | Christian Poulsen |
M |
10 | Martin Jorgensen |
M |
19 | Dennis Rommedahl |
M |
20 | Thomas Enevoldsen |
| M | 8 | Jesper Gronkjaer |
F |
11 | Nicklas Bendtner |
| M | 17 | Mikkel Beckmann |
F |
12 | Thomas Kahlenberg |
| M | 21 | Christian Eriksen |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 22 | Jesper Christiansen |
| G | 16 | Stephan Andersen |
| D | 5 | William Kvist |
| D | 13 | Per Kroldrup |
| D | 23 | Patrick Mtiliga |
| M | 7 | Daniel Jensen |
| M | 8 | Jesper Gronkjaer |
| M | 14 | Jakob Poulsen |
| M | 17 | Mikkel Beckmann |
| M | 21 | Christian Eriksen |
| F | 9 | Jon Dahl Tomasson |
| F | 18 | Soren Larsen |
Match Stats
- Netherlands
- Denmark
| 18(7) | Shots (on goal) | 10(3) |
| 13 | Fouls | 20 |
| 6 | Corner kicks | 2 |
| 4 | Offsides | 2 |
| 58% | Time of Possession | 42% |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 3 | Saves | 4 |
Chris Jones: On behalf of Leander, thanks very much for watching with us today. Hope you had fun. This is the greatest gig on earth. Hope you enjoyed it. Take care until the next time.
Chris Jones: Dutch had 58 percent possession, 18 shots.
Chris Jones: The E stands for Elia, by the way.
Chris Jones: And Rob sums it up nicely. Fair result, though. Dutch earn three points. Japan and Cameroon play this afternoon and Group E is off and rolling.
[Comment from Rob]
The goals you own end up owning you.
Chris Jones: Sneijder named man of the match... For no particular reason.
ESPN Stats and Info: With the victory, The Netherlands have lost only one of their last 13 group stage matches at World Cup finals.
Chris Jones: Great question Erik. Watching Germany last night, they seemed far scarier than I anticipated. So young -- second youngest team in the tournament -- but so fast. The Dutch played very well today, but I'm not sure they were as "electric" as Germany. Hopefully they can build from here.
[Comment from Erik]
Chris, considering Denmark is better than Australia, who would you say was more impressive. Germany or the Netherlands?
[Comment from Tony]
Solid start to the tournament by the Oranje!
[Comment from James]
Great start by the Dutch!
[Comment from Otey]
That own goal must have devasted Denmark, they have been ridiculously outshot this half
Chris Jones: 2-0 Netherlands.
Chris Jones: That's game.
[Comment from Jon]
Can the Dutch put in one more before time?
Chris Jones: Kuyt takes another long shot, sails wide. Nearly over now.
Chris Jones: This finish bodes well for them.
Chris Jones: Full of confidence.
Chris Jones: Dutch are playing beautifully now.
Chris Jones: 3 minutes of extra time.
ESPN Stats and Info: That was the 9th goal that Netherlands have scored between the 85th and 90th minutes all time.
Chris Jones: Rommedahl sends a harmless shot wide of the net.
[Comment from Jasper]
The Dutch are keeping the pressure on even through the last minutes!
Chris Jones: Paulsen saves another Dutch goal... Not quite enough to make up for earlier.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Demy de Zeeuw on for Nigel de Jong for the Netherlands.
Chris Jones: Dutch goal kick -- dragggggggggging their feet now. Can't blame them.
[Comment from jarrod-]
How can they not start Elia next match?
[Comment from Yunny]
Dutch: creating space where there seemed to be none.
[Comment from James]
Aw... Elia denied. Still a nice move and goal though.
[Comment from Kyle]
Elia should absolutely start. That's just an exclamation point on that.
[Comment from GM]
Well, I said Kuyt would score 1.
Chris Jones: Felt like that's been coming since Elia stepped on the pitch.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch needed a goal that wasn't gifted to them for their confidence in the next games.
Chris Jones: Elia hits the right post, Kuyt drives it home.
Chris Jones: 2-0!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: NETHERLANDS!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: GOAL!!
ESPN Stats and Info: Attacking percentages from Opta Sports Data: Denmark (L-R) 35-22-43......Netherlands (L-R) 21-45-34
Chris Jones: 6 minutes left.
ESPN Stats and Info: The Netherlands have been attacking mostly up the middle of the pitch. Wesley Sneijder, playing in central midfield, leads the Dutch in touches with 75 and has completed 52 passes.
Chris Jones: Another long shot by Afellay goes well high and wide.
Chris Jones: Dutch corner cleared.
Chris Jones: Dutch forming a real attack now. Sneijder shot deflects off Agger and onto (and over) the bar.
Chris Jones: Every time Elia is within twenty feet of the ball, it feels like something's going to happen. Very cool player to watch.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jorgensen misreads a ball and it rolls out of play. This ball seems to never lose momentum.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A deft touch by Kuyt plays Elia into space, but he was off-sides. It all moved too slowly.
Chris Jones: Attendance is 83,465...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Afellay sent a long cross in front of the goal, with nobody to connect to it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch, to their credit, aren't simply riding out this game. They'd be forgiven, given how out of sync they've been.
[Comment from Kyle]
Zidane's following you guys. Guard your chests.
[Comment from lear]
how can you not love a man who has lightning for feet leander?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: With Afellay on the right.
Chris Jones: Zidane just spotted in the crowd, despite nearly getting mobbed at the Algeria game yesterday.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That's where he's lined up now.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Surprising. I suppose Kuyt now moves up top.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Afellay on for van Persie.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie almost stalks off with the ball, but he's offsides.
Chris Jones: A little under 15 minutes remaining.
Chris Jones: He's just playing in the World Cup, Kyle. I'm sure you're doing something... Awesome?
[Comment from Kyle]
*I* was born in 1992. Makes me feel sort of unaccomplished, you know?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Looks like Afellay is getting ready to come on for the Netherlands. I bet it's for Sneijder, who has been a non-factor.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Thanks, darrelltx. I love that guy. (Not darrell, Elia.)
[Comment from darrelltx]
Leander's booking withdrawn in light of his comments re: Elia.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie sends a bouncing header well wide on the corner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Elia again finds acres of space somehow, even though there are men there and puts in a lovely cross that requires a diving punch from Sorensen. Van Bommel's follow up shot is saved beautifully.
Chris Jones: Eriksen born in 1992. Totally depressing.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kahlenberg off for another prodigy: Christian Ericksen.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ditto. What a tandem.
[Comment from Martin]
I'd like to see Elia start over Kuyt once Robben is healthy.
[Comment from Erik]
Van Bommel: "Stupid Jabulani"
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long Danish cross sails over everyone and out of bounds.
Chris Jones: Another shot delivered to Port Elizabeth there.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Elia with the ball on the left. Lays it off to Sneijder, who zips it on to van Bommel. Who miss-hits his shot terribly.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Rommedahl gets a cross into the box but Kuyt had tracked back well and heads it away.
[Comment from lear]
wow, just a few minutes and elia already scares me
[Comment from David]
Didn't take Elia long.
Chris Jones: Leander very nearly a genius there.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Elia breaks out on the left, completely tears past his man and feeds van Persie, whose shot is blocked.
Chris Jones: Hamburg SV, Vince.
[Comment from Vince]
What club team does he play for?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Poor long shot by Agger saunters into Stekelenburg's hands.
[Comment from jessie]
Elia is gonna be beast lol
[Comment from James]
Elia can change the whole rithm of the game!
[Comment from Erik]
Elia coming on!! Magic time!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Fair enough.
[Comment from darrelltx]
Clean tackle. Harsh booking. Yellow should've gone to Leander for failing to see that.
Chris Jones: Leander has been talking up Elia to me. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does here.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He's on for van der Vaart.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Huzzah, huzzah.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Elia is getting ready to come on for the Netherlands at long last.
[Comment from Dave]
Bendtner will have a tough time winning the Golden Boot from the bench.
ESPN Stats and Info: 8 passes were completed to Bendtner and only 13 touches in the match, lowest of any of today's starters.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: More of the Jabulani stuff perhaps.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kahlenberg's cross sails over though.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long Agger free kick almost finds Kjaer at the second post. Denmark continues to attack.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Danes are keeping their form well. They're playing compact, pressure soccer, which suits them well. It's only luck that's put them behind in this game.
[Comment from Chance]
That Kjaer tackle looked clean on the replay.
[Comment from Andy Kling]
that should have been a yellow for diving
Leander Schaerlaeckens: In truth, it was slightly harsh.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kjaer knocks over Sneijder and is shocked at being given a yellow.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Christian Poulson plows over van Bommel, but gets off with a warning.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Bendtner was largely ineffectual.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Nicklas Bendtner off for Mikkel Beckmann for Denmark.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: As is Bendtner on the other end. Only Bendtner doesn't even attempt a finish.
Chris Jones: Clearly offside. Good call.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie is a good bit offside, in spite of his nice chip over Sorensen.
Chris Jones: That was a nice save and hold by Sorensen.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie chips it into van der Vaart 10 yards from the box, whose subtle shot finds only the outstretched hands of Sorensen!
Chris Jones: You mean they cause me pain? That sounds about right.
[Comment from Erik]
Chris, excuses are like vuvuzelas.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A very long throw-in by Jacobson, I believe, gets to Kjaer in front of goal. But he can't get the header on target. Jacobson, if I'm not mistaking my Danes, learned to throw that far playing handball.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Could it be? Are the Dutch sitting back a little?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: For Denmark that is.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jesper Gronkjaer, a winger, is on for Thomas Enevoldsen.
Chris Jones: Not a lot of sleep so far.
Chris Jones: Oh, wait... I see what you did there.
Chris Jones: I think Pat is getting his Dutch and his Danes mixed up.
[Comment from Pat]
The Dutch are just angry about not scoring first.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jacobsen blacks van Persie off with his back smacking into the latter's face. Bit rough.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Duth are getting vicious. But this game is improving. So that's a wash.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The replay shows another savage tackle. This time by Heitinga, I believe.
Chris Jones: van Persie had to bury that. No shot? Terrible.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kjaer' loses it when he passes it straight to Kuyt, Kuyt dishes to the wide-open van Persie but he doesn't manage to swerve around the keeper and concedes a goal kick.
Chris Jones: Not Agger's fault. Ball off Poulsen's head, off his back and in. Freak thing,
[Comment from Jason]
I'm just now catching up. Agger, what are you doing?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Some frustration perhaps? Van Persie has been in Kjaer's pocket much of this game.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie charged through on Kjaer's feet after the ball was gone.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kjaer is down. Van Persie is given a yellow.
ESPN Stats and Info: First own goal of the 2010 World Cup, 29th own goal in World Cup history.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: No chance it goes in, it was headed back to the corner flag, where the cross had come from.
Chris Jones: Not sure that goes in without the glance off Agger's back. Very unlucky.
[Comment from Matt]
Absolutely brutal.
[Comment from Luke]
Welp - there goes the neighborhood. That was quick.
[Comment from Erik]
Unlucky, but you've gotta clear that up and away.
[Comment from Kat]
NO WAY!
[Comment from Carl]
WOW! They didn't waste any time at all. Nice!
Chris Jones: Sickening.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie went long on the kick-off crossed it into the box and Poulsen headed it off Agger's back and into the goal. Very unfortunate.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: For the Netherlands.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: GOAL!!!
ESPN Stats and Info: For the Dutch, it's the first time in their last four World Cup matches they have failed to score in the first half.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Curb your fantasies. We're ready to get this second half underway.
Chris Jones: And the game takes a turn. Let's get back to some football...
[Comment from GM]
Wow, this couldn't get any weirder...
[Comment from Yunny]
Ribery's scar is so dreamy... Oh wait.
[Comment from Mike]
I can't turn away from Tevez's soft features
[Comment from Charlie]
Messi's eyes are so gentle...
ESPN Stats and Info: This is the fourth time in 14 World Cup matches all-time that Denmark has not scored in the first half.
[Comment from Luke]
Nothing like watching Christiano Ronaldo on a lonely, rainy evening...
[Comment from Dane]
Comment of the day so far from Anna.
[Comment from Danielle]
I second that, Anna.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: "We have 12 official languages," said the bathroom attendant handing out toilet paper to dry off your hands with. "The 12th is vuvuzela."
Then his face turned serious and he asked me if I could buy him lunch. "I have no money."
The dual faces of this World Cup.
[Comment from Anna]
Ogling is right... there is a reason women watch this sport too...
Chris Jones: The World Cup: a time for international goodwill, harmony... and ogling.
[Comment from Kip]
Chris, the Danes ain't so bad either.
[Comment from Joe]
And thats why I LOST a marriage because of one...
[Comment from Griff]
Chris, I hope the comment by Erich doesn't apply to you. "passing from the Dutch with very few oppurtunities resulting"
Chris Jones: Well, the coach is one, too. They're all in on it together.
[Comment from Mike]
Is there a law in Hollan that if you're a "van" you must start the match? No "Vans" on the bench
[Comment from Dave]
Yes they are Chris...that's why i married one
Chris Jones: ... and de Jong is lucky to still be in the game after the referee missed one brutal tackle and gave only a yellow for a second.
Chris Jones: van Persie might have done better with a gift in the box...
Chris Jones: Danes had a couple of half-decent opportunities in the first half, but the Dutch controlled the play.
Chris Jones: Sorry... Momentarily distracted by gaggle of Dutch girls. They are an attractive people.
[Comment from Erich]
A lot of passing from the Dutch with very few oppurtunities resulting from it.
Chris Jones: Possession overwhelmingly in favor of the Dutch, 61-39.
[Comment from Martin]
I wish I could watch the game. Got a link, Griff?
ESPN Stats and Info: The Dutch completed more passes (224) then Denmark attempted (143) in the first half.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Any tied score would be a palindrome, really.
[Comment from Dave]
Kyle I bet you prayed for this score just to say that huh?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm really glad I didn't pay for access to this game. I'd be really annoyed.
Chris Jones: Kyle bridges the nerd-jock divide single-handedly.
[Comment from Kyle]
Well, the halftime score is a palindrome: NED 0-0 DEN
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Half-time
Leander Schaerlaeckens: ...which comes to nothing.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The fleet-footed Rommedahl skips past both van Bronckhorst and Mathijsen before the ball is deflected for a corner.
[Comment from Tim]
That should've been his second yellow (he probably should've got red before)
[Comment from gWeg]
de Jong should have been ejected already
Chris Jones: Dirty Man of the Match, so far.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Nigel de Jong with another ill-advised tackle that incurs a yellow.
[Comment from Eric]
Van Persie wasted that. Shame.
Chris Jones: Very nearly a bad bounce there for Denmark. Nothing like deflecting a ball onto van Persie's foot.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Maybe he got dizzy.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The ball bounces to van Persie from a Danish player, he cuts in, out, back in, back out and shoots wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Agger, on a splendid tackle, not only sends van der Vaart flying, but manages to play the ball off him and win the throw-in too.
[Comment from TJ]
I wish you were in charge here Griff..
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Wiel connects with Kuyt on the right, but the backline comes before a cross does.
[Comment from RedFoot]
If I had a vuvuzela, I'd toot it in Griff's honor!
[Comment from John]
It is too bad all IT dudes aren't that way!!
[Comment from Griff]
no problem. great job ESPN. thanks
Chris Jones: Luke, give your boss a raise.
[Comment from Luke]
My boss is watching the World Cup with me. Consider everyone's productivity destroyed.
Chris Jones: Griff, ladies and gentlemen. The most noble IT dude in all the land! Huzzah!
[Comment from Griff]
Also work for a living...in charge of IT. Unblocked webcast so folks could enjoy the matches.
[Comment from Dave in NC]
Consider my productivity destroyed. My boss thanks you.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Simon Poulson manages to shield off Sneijder as the ball rolls behind.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The short corner is sent in and cleared. The Dutch on the run now.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It took a deflection.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Corner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kahlenberg gets a run at goal from the left and, pushed into the corner by Heitinga, gets a shot off, that's about a foot off.
Chris Jones: We aim to please. And destroy the productivity of America's workforce.
[Comment from SIHLE]
I must tell ESPN thanks though the hard cold reality of working for a living prevents me (IT blocked all the telecast sites) from viewing the games on teh tele but the interactive sceens with the video clips really make not seeing it bearable
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Poor.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kjaer's bendy shot is stopped by a three-man wall.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long free kick for Denmark now, where a few Danes argue over who should take it. My money is on Agger, who has a beastly shot.
Chris Jones: Grant -- huge stadium, middle of the afternoon here. There are 70,000+ people here, maybe 80,000. Again, it's mostly the boxes that are empty.
[Comment from Grant Major]
Chris: 80% can't be acceptable for FIFA to say this World Cup is a success? This is not a bad matchup either, so what gives?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Best chance yet, I would say.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Denmark on the breakaway now. They find Rommedahl at the far end. His shot is straight at the diving Stekelenburg.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A Dutch cross into the box deflects for another corner.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Corner by Sneijder.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Vaart serves van Persie in the box, but Kljaer gets to it and concedes a corner.
[Comment from Tim]
Unfortunately, De Jong did NOT get sent off for the Holden tackle :mad:
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kuyt is bowled over by Simon Poulsen.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long Sneijder free kick finds the wall.
Chris Jones: I'd say we're around the 80 percent mark, Mike. Most of the luxury boxes are empty, so it's a bit deceptive. Cheap seats are nearly full, though.
[Comment from Mike]
Approximately how much of the stadium is full?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Keep your pants on DeeSee, I said the forwards were playing interchangeably. Nobody else is swapping spots. And they're not exactly playing a quick, short-passing game.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A few months ago, that very tackle broke Stuart Holden's leg and got De Jong sent off.
[Comment from DeeSee]
4 dutch fowards interchangeable......here we go with the total football nonsense
Leander Schaerlaeckens: De Jong -- shocking scenes -- drops a vicious two-footed tackle on an opponent.
[Comment from Yunny]
@Leander: From the country that invented Total Football, is that surprising?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Interestingly, the four Dutch forwards seem completely interchangeable.
Chris Jones: We're done now, R_D. Just getting the lead out to start the morning.
[Comment from R_D]
Too bad, for a moment I thought that stupid remark by Aaron would just get ignored...
[Comment from Don Stewart]
well said, frank
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Mexican wave is doing the rounds. The most exciting thing to happen until just now, when Rommedahl dropped a cross perfectly on Bendtner's head but the latter is too subtle with it and heads it on the wrong side of the post.
[Comment from Colin]
As a former soccer hater, I understand why it doesn't appeal to the US. It's like hockey with more space. A tie doesn't make sense to most US sports fans and the lack of scoring is hard to appreciate when compared to, say, basketball. It's the little things that make soccer great, and if you ever go try to play a game, you'll see why they're such great athletes.
[Comment from FrankJ]
Soccer is a subtle game of creating space and opportunities while moving.
[Comment from Ray]
Why are people watching the gamecast if they think football is boring?
[Comment from texasfan423]
Aarond:If you don't want to watch the best game in the world you don't have to, get over it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bronckhorst is played very deep on the right but can't get a cross off.
Chris Jones: Hard to tell -- empty seats are orange too. But definitely a heavily pro-Dutch crowd. Many South Africans here dressed in orange.
[Comment from Charlie]
What percentage of the crowd is orange?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The pace of this game is low. The occasional breakaway offers some respite, but it's rare.
Chris Jones: Gentlemen, you may fire when ready. No swearing, please.
[Comment from AAROND]
Soccer SUCKS! How can you all watch this boring game? Talk about a snooze fest!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch trap the Danish where possible and recoup the ball that way.
Chris Jones: I still haven't seen a win yet. All ties for me so far.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Well spotted.
[Comment from KM]
So, after Slovenia-Algeria yesterday, I'm beginning to think that the ESPN gamecast commentators being at a game is a jinx against scoring of some sort
[Comment from FQ17]
Should have played to his teamate on the left there. Taking shots is a good thing but I feel the Dutch can make one last pass to get themselves a better chance on goal.
[Comment from Eric]
Lovely move. Creation of space right there.
Chris Jones: I think that might have carried all the way to Rustenburg if the seats weren't in the way.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Enevoldsen is allowed to go on a long run but he blasts it over, looking a little uncontrolled in the replay.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bommel broke out on the right, fed van der Vaart by the semi-circle but his shot went wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie plays van der Vaart into a bit of space, but his shot carombs away. Dutch corner.
[Comment from Yunny]
Those who think the game looks like a training excercise obviously haven't noticed the sublime touches that the Dutch has made in this game. Lots of little spaces being created and exploited. They just need them to come together.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Well said, Scott. Holland is a province of the Netherlands.
[Comment from Scott]
Can I just remind everyone that Holland is NOT the same as The Netherlands?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Vaart gets a shot off after van Persie is finally reached at the edge of the box, but it doesn't get far.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Wiel again tears off a long run but doesn't feed Kuyt well. Later in the play, a visibly irritated Sneijder sends a cross out of the reach of Kuyt.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Headed away.
[Comment from Mitch-]
I have been playing with the jabulani for about 3 months. Its a great ball. It took a while to get use to it, but once you have learn how the balls moves...It goes!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Vaart deftly controls the ball at the edge of the box, gets it off to Kuyt, whose cross is long and headed away. Dutch corner.
[Comment from djl]
The Germans don't seem to mind the Jabulani.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Holland is starting to push up a little more here.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bommel goes on a run but waits too long to play it off to Kuyt or van Persie.
[Comment from spanky]
This looks like a training exercise not the world cup finals
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not much of a game this just yet.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Bendtner twirls his way into space in the midfield, but his ball reaches nobody.
Chris Jones: Each of the last World Cups, there have been complaints about the ball. Normally it's the keepers who don't like it. Nobody likes this one.
[Comment from Ray]
After all these years of making balls, why is there suddenly suppose to be a problem with this one?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Instead of wooooooooooooomp, it's now womp-womp-womp.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: People seem to have figured out that you can also blow a set beat into your vuvuzelas.
Chris Jones: Or, it could be that.
[Comment from DeeSee]
The ball seems to get far more coverage than it deserves ! Just poor shots thats all.
Chris Jones: It's not so much the lack of bend or swerve, Grant... There have been so many miscues by keepers, missed headers, failed crosses... More and more, I think there's something to the complaints.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dtuch begin to set up an attack but Sneijder catches it on the arm.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie gets a telling off from the ref.
[Comment from Grant Major]
You think the Jabulani makes a difference on the shots we've seen? Players can't seem to make it bend at all.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Out of bounds flies another overzealous Jabulani long ball.
Chris Jones: Bobble by Sorensen there. Easy to catch cleanly and he didn't... Jabulani!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Right at Sorensen.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Deep throw-in for the Dutch is controlled by Kuyt, lost by de Jong, recuperated by van Persie and shot at goal by Kuyt.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van der Wiel peels off a long dribble and comes just short of feeding van Persie in the box.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He too gives the Jabulani a spin, but it doesn't wobble. Rather, it goes straight out of bounds.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Enevoldsen with a long free kick.
Chris Jones: Pretty clumsy so far. Lots of nudges, lots of flailing arms.
[Comment from Brandon]
With the Dutch attacking style, they SHOULD have the edge here...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: This should be a fun game. Neither team is sitting back and both are going after the ball.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder blasts over a very long free kick.
Chris Jones: Horns rising with Dutch free kick.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Both teams are eager, but neither has settled on an approach yet.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The play is tentative thus far.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Rommedahl with the ball on the righ.
[Comment from Brandon]
Anyway I like Danish, goes nicely with coffee :-)
[Comment from Grant Major]
I think the dutch have an awesome front and mid, but i can't trust the back. Edwin van der Sar in goal would have been a huge difference i think
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The first HOLLAND cries make their way around.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Agger finds room in Dutch territory and gets a shot off which is blocked.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder and van der Vaart are roaming quite a bit already. They may have free roles, while Kuyt stays out on the right.
Chris Jones: Dutch goal is in shadow, rest of the field in sunlight... With some wind and the Jabulani, long Danish shots could be tough for Stekelenburg.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch are applying high pressure on the Danish.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kick-off.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're ready for kick-off here.
Chris Jones: No Dutch choke this year... I think.
[Comment from 19Zizou63]
Historically speaking, the Dutch are always brilliant at the Group Stage; afterwards my old amateur club could take them.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: One reader pointed out, before adding a swearword that made his comment unpublishable, that if the Dutch play well here "Total Football" will be all the rage among commentators. Quite right. And quite wrong. This team doesn't play total football. The concept is outdated and impractical in modern soccer.
[Comment from spanky]
Once again it is being played in a bee hive. Ban those stupid horns already
[Comment from edriss]
van persie and van der vaart are scoring!
[Comment from DeeSee]
No Robben. But Sjneider will take the bull by its horns
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Post-anthem handshakes now.
[Comment from Adam]
Elia is brilliant.
Chris Jones: Please rise...
Chris Jones: Team arriving on the field. Stadium is 3/4 full and on their feet. At least 70,000 here today.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not to echo myself, but Elia. He's a difference-maker. I'm backing him as one of the sensations of the tournament.
[Comment from eric]
what sub will make the biggest impact for the dutch?
Chris Jones: Because they aren't playing in it, Ryan.
Sorry. Sarcasm sometimes doesn't translate over the Interwebs.
[Comment from Ryan]
why do you think that chris
Chris Jones: Yeah, but they won't win this game.
[Comment from Portugal Fever]
Portugal will win this world cup
[Comment from Ryan]
yea i was thinking a draw but i have a feeling the netherlands will be strong today
[Comment from Krishan Yadav]
3-0 to Holland, Van Persie with a hat trick
[Comment from Holden Herrell]
The only chance for the Danes is if van Persie's legs fall off
[Comment from billy]
netherlands 3 -0
[Comment from spanky]
nil nil draw
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not to be a contrarian here, but I'm calling it 2-2.
[Comment from david]
1-0 danes upset another dissapointment for holland
[Comment from Holden Herrell]
3-1 Dutch
[Comment from Ricky]
3-1 Netherlands
[Comment from ]
Holland 4 Denmark 1
[Comment from nomad]
2-1 Denmark
[Comment from Kyle]
dutch
[Comment from Kyle]
3-2
Chris Jones: Denmark: white jerseys, red and white shorts and socks.
[Comment from Ryan]
netherlands take it 2-0
[Comment from edriss]
2-0 holland
[Comment from hank]
holland in a breeze at least 3-0 the first half
[Comment from Eric]
4-1 Dutch
Chris Jones: Dutch: orange jerseys, black shorts, orange socks.
[Comment from burhan daud]
2-1 to the Dutch
[Comment from 19Zizou63]
3-1 for the brilliant Orange in a fluid game!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Let's hear some predictions, as we're ten minutes away.
Chris Jones: Noise is picking up now. Not nearly as many vuvuzelas as the first match here at Soccer City, South Africa v. Mexico. But still a pretty good racket.
[Comment from Rich]
I could see Japan sneaking through..
[Comment from Ryan]
I say cameroon and netherlands take the group
[Comment from Kyle]
International Bendtner and Arsenal Bendtner are very different.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Bendtner was very solid in the second half of the season for Arsenal. He could be dangerous. And I've caught some flack for saying this, but the Dutch defense is rickety.
[Comment from Ricky]
Why is no one talking about Bendtner? Also prediction on how many goals inside the 6 Bendtner misses? My guess is 3
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Don't underestimate Denmark for a minute. That team is as well organized as any. What they lack in talent -- and in that they don't lack all that much -- they make up for in a solid system, conceived of by their very experienced coach, Morten Olsen.
Chris Jones: Later today, I think Cameroon-Japan could be a very good game. I like this group a lot.
[Comment from Grant Major]
I think the Cameroon will be tougher for Holland. Eto'o will cause more trouble than Bendtner on the Dutch defense.
Chris Jones: They were hoping he would be ready today, Evan, so I think they'll try to get him out there at some point.
[Comment from Evan]
I have been out of the soccer world for a while, is there a chance Robben will be healthy for a later game in the cup? In my opinion he could make a significant difference
Chris Jones: There is a woman wearing a headdress that reads: WE MISS U ROBBEN.
Chris Jones: Stadium is about half filled at the moment, with a little more than 15 minutes before kickoff.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Quarterfinals.
[Comment from Kyle]
How far do the Netherlands go before they choke?
[Comment from Richard Oduber]
I believe the Dutch will be fine without Robin
[Comment from Ricky]
Robben would definitely be a starter
Chris Jones: Robben is out with a hamstring injury. They were hoping he would be fit in time, but no such luck.
[Comment from boy]
y arjen robben not play do u guy kown
[Comment from Erik]
I am a Dutchman living in the states since the early 2000s and I will tell you... teams like Denmark scare the heck out of me, combine that with the defensive (Feyenoord) coach and I am praying for a win..
Chris Jones: Mine too. Literally.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: My money is on van Persie.
[Comment from Holden Herrell]
Who scores more goals: van Persie or the entire Denmark team?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Without a doubt, Grant. His furious little feet are selfish ones, but they add so much to a team.
[Comment from Grant Major]
Leander: You think Robben is a starter if he wasn't hurt?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm sort of torn. I was born in the Netherlands, and I'd like to see them win. But I know from experience that if they start out on fire, they'll fizzle out soon thereafter. I'd take a draw here, and a slight win in the next, so they can grow into the tournament.
Chris Jones: Still have their warmups on, Grant, but their socks are orange. So far so good.
[Comment from Grant Major]
Are the dutch going to wear the orange? Best jerseys in the world.
Chris Jones: I like what you like, Cory.
[Comment from Cory Tell]
This should be a great game. Some great football but I like Netherlands 3-1.
Chris Jones: Even the stadium seats are orange.
Chris Jones: And here, however many thousands of miles away from the Netherlands, it actually feels like a home game for the Dutch.
Chris Jones: Because I'm a hopeless sentimentalist, I've put a large amount... paper faith... on the Dutch to win the whole thing... Not that I have a rooting interest.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Back to Jones for an update on the atmosphere in and around the stadium.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm also disappointed not to see Christian Eriksen out there for Denmark. The 18-year old Ajax midfielder is one of the most promising young players in the game.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I for one was expecting Eljero Elia to play for the Netherlands, since Robben is out. But they've opted to play van der Vaart on the left instead, which is an interesting choice, but not one they haven't made before.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Danish will play like this:
Goalkeeper: Thomas Sorensen
Defenders: Lars Jacobsen, Daniel Agger, Simon Kjaer and Simon Poulsen
Midfielders: Thomas Enevoldsen, Christian Poulsen, Martin Jorgensen (C) and Thomas Kahlenberg
Attackers: Dennis Rommedahl and Nicklas Bendtner
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch will play as follows:
Goalkeeper: Maarten Stekelenburg
Defenders: Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen and Giovanni van Bronckhorst (C)
Defensive midfielders: Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong
Attacking midfielders: Dirk Kuyt, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart
Attackers: Robin van Persie
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Without further ado, here come the lineups:
Chris Jones: A beautiful day here in Johannesburg, Leander. Wide open blues skies, perfect temperature, light wind. A great day for soccer.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: With me here in the press box is ESPN The Magazine contributing writer and Esquire writer-at-large Chris Jones, who will now bring you the weather.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Great match-up today between the Netherlands and Denmark.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Well, for you that is, not so much for us, as it's 1pm here.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Good morning, everybody, and thanks for joining us at this preposterous hour.