WORLD CUP
Durban Stadium, Durban, South Africa
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco | Attendance: 61692
* Local time based on your geographic location.
Watch Live on: ESPN3.com, MobileTV, ESPN 3D, ESPN
COMPLETE TEAM
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Goal
Shot
Video
Goal
Shot
Video
Shots (on goal)
tackles
Fouls
possession
Netherlands
-
52%
48%
Slovakia
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 |
11 | Arjen Robben |
| M | 17 | Eljero Elia |
F |
9 | Robin Van Persie |
| F | 21 | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar |
F |
10 | Wesley Sneijder |
| M | 20 | Ibrahim Afellay |
| 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 | 14 | Demy De Zeeuw |
| M | 17 | Eljero Elia |
| M | 18 | Stijn Schaars |
| M | 19 | Ryan Babel |
| M | 20 | Ibrahim Afellay |
| M | 23 | Rafael Van der Vaart |
| F | 21 | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar |
Slovakia
| Line-up | ||
|---|---|---|
| POS | No | Name |
G |
1 | Jan Mucha |
D |
2 | Peter Pekarik |
D |
3 | Martin Skrtel |
D |
5 | Radoslav Zabavnik |
| F | 14 | Martin Jakubko |
D |
16 | Jan Durica |
M |
7 | Vladimir Weiss |
M |
15 | Miroslav Stoch |
M |
17 | Marek Hamsik |
| M | 10 | Marek Sapara |
M |
19 | Juraj Kucka |
F |
11 | Robert Vittek |
F |
18 | Erik Jendrisek |
| M | 20 | Kamil Kopunek |
| Substitutes | ||
| POS | No | Name |
| G | 12 | Dusan Pernis |
| G | 23 | Dusan Kuciak |
| D | 4 | Marek Cech |
| D | 21 | Kornel Salata |
| D | 22 | Martin Petras |
| M | 8 | Jan Kozak |
| M | 10 | Marek Sapara |
| M | 20 | Kamil Kopunek |
| F | 9 | Stanislav Sestak |
| F | 13 | Filip Holosko |
| F | 14 | Martin Jakubko |
Match Stats
- Netherlands
- Slovakia
| 16(9) | Shots (on goal) | 12(3) |
| 17 | Fouls | 19 |
| 5 | Corner kicks | 2 |
| 2 | Offsides | 3 |
| 52% | Time of Possession | 48% |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 2 | Saves | 7 |
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Thanks for stopping by.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We'll be back with Brazil-Chile at 2 p.m. ET!
Luke Cyphers: I leave now, in disgrace for the inaccurate yellow card joke.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm off to do my grades!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: You're very welcome Van Joe from Accounting.
[Comment from Joe from Accounting]
Thank you Van Luke and Van Leander!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Netherlands is through and will play the winner of Brazil and Chile in the quarterfinals.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Also check out my post-game grades, which will be up in the next hour or so.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Definitely a VanVan.
[Comment from Van Vandervaart]
What rating does Van Kuyt's effort get today on a scale of Van to VanVan.
Luke Cyphers: That was a garbage-time goal.
[Comment from Mobster]
Ha, the spread is magically covered!
[Comment from Van Phil]
Crap call
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Final whistle.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: 2-1.
[Comment from Clint]
Meaningless penalty!
[Comment from Van Bratwurst]
bulllllllll spit bull spit
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Very, very soft penalty.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jakubka was in the box and got his leg nice and stuck behind Stekelenburg's arm.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Penalty to Slovakia!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sapara's shot is blocked in the box.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Just van wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Afellay with the shot!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder is off for Afellay.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Will it stay that way against a savvy team like Brazil is the question.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch offside trap has been right on the money today.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Vittek is offside.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Three minutes of added time.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Joke to Robert...
[Comment from ROBERT]
Hey Van Leander, it's not Van Huntelaar, it's just Huntelaar!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kuyt got to the back line and tried to cross it, by Mucha grabbed it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Huntelaar, incidentally was clear through on goal but called offside.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jakubko and Sapara on for Hamsik and Zabavnik for Slovakia.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: See, everybody makes Van mistakes.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: There's a television announcer referring to him as Van Huntelaar.
[Comment from Oranje Fever]
Dave, they call that hairstyle the fro-hawk.
Luke Cyphers: Slovaks lost discipline, and it cost them. And Elia with another entertaining move, and....
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Huntelaar cross it, nobody got to it but Elia, who dallied on the ball a little before shooting it right at Mucha.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Skrtel gives the ref an ear-full and gets a yellow.
Luke Cyphers: Well-timed run by Kuyt set it all up.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kuyt pushed through all alone on the left, played it off for Sneijder to run onto and blast home.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder with the second!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: 2-0!!!
[Comment from Dave]
So, Luke, what look is Elia going for with his hair style?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Slovakia coach is throwing a fit here.
[Comment from DK]
That's ok Leander, they look a lot alike!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I of all people should be used to them!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Getting my "van"'s mixed up.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: My humble apologies, Robin van Persie came off. Not van Bronckhorst.
ESPN Stats and Info: Robin van Persie had just 22 touches, the fewest by any starter for the Netherlands
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Klaas Jan Huntelaar is on for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
[Comment from Mic]
Robben did not have a yellow going into todays game Luke! Do your research!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The ball fell to him but he hesitated too long and shot it over.
ESPN Stats and Info: There have been 24 goals scored in the 80th minute or later in this World Cup.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Vittek with a huge chance!
[Comment from anthony]
Dirk Kuyt sprinting is like watching Robben jogging
[Comment from Stekelenburg]
Does anyone have a book to read?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He again did well to get past his man and sent a terrible ball.
[Comment from Elia]
What am I supposed to do once I get around my guy?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Elia's second consecutive cross is lost on the rest of the team.
Luke Cyphers: Still just a goal down, though.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Slovakians are starting to run out of time.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Had a wicked swerve to it, but Mucha pushed it away.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kuyt with a dangerous shot from distance!
Luke Cyphers: YES. YES HE WAS
[Comment from STUCK AT WORK]
WAS ROBBEN ONE OF THE PLAYER TO HAVE A YELLOW COMING INTO THIS GAME
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kopeneck gets a yellow right after coming on for tackling Elia.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That's probably true.
[Comment from Dave]
And that, Leander, is the sentiment that always leads the Dutch to underachieve.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: To hell with the defense on the flanks.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Boy would I like to see them play at the same time for once.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Eljerio Elia on for Arjen Robben.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder found Kuyt's head. Kuyt headed it over and claimed he was pushed.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Free kick to the Netherlands from the left. Sneijder behind it.
Luke Cyphers: ON replay, Stoch's shot was actually better. And a better save. The second save was self-preservation.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Yes.
[Comment from Travis]
Is it bad that I'm cheering for Slovakia because i don't like the color orange?
[Comment from Your Momma]
My ex Girlfriend is slovakian... hope they lose!
[Comment from Oranje Fever]
Blame Luke, Leander. He jinxed Holland's defense.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: But Kucka fouls van Bommel, who had recovered the ball.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Slovakia on the counter.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bommel loses the ball.
Luke Cyphers: Wonder if that got the Dutch's attention.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It's the rest of his game that isn't elite.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Stekelenburg always had superb reflexes.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Who's this team and what have you done to Slovakia?
Luke Cyphers: Great turn, better save.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Splendid save by Stekelenburg!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Vittek!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Slovakia still in possession after the corner.
[Comment from to office junkie]
when you can't be witty, be whiny, it apparently works
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He cut inside and necessitated a big save from Stekelenburg.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Stoch with the shot!
Luke Cyphers: The fact Kucka took that from so far out (it was at least 30), shows how much trouble they're having on the attack. Maybe the fact the Dutch allowed so few goals in qualifying wasn't such a fluke.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder limping a little.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The soccer universe punished him with a kick to his foot too.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He went to his right when he had loads of space to his left. He was trying to be too clever.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Not the best of solutions.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Plays it off to Sneijder, who was blocked.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben on the run again!
ESPN Stats and Info: Touches in the box so far: Netherlands with 11, Slovakia with just 2
[Comment from Brian from NY]
Can I say I'm proud of Stats for making an optimistic comment for once?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Should have been a corner. But the Dutch caught a break.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: 30 or so yards.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ball had a mean hop to it.
Luke Cyphers: How far was it?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kucka from very far for Slovakia!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie tries to back-heel it on to Sneijder, but there was somebody standing in between him and a successful pass.
Luke Cyphers: Thanks, Stats, for giving us a reason to stick with it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Stoch goes down at the edge of the box! No call.
ESPN Stats and Info: Slovakia have scored two of their four goals in this World Cup after the 60th minute.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Would have made for better television than this.
[Comment from Office Junkie]
Nearly 2 weeks of trying and still cant get posted. Must not be witty enough
Luke Cyphers: You wanted em to throw punches, didn't you Leander?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That Sneijder gave one away might be telling.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Big moment there for the Dutch, Sneijder and van Persie have been arguing over who gets to take the free kicks for years.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie's shot is punched away by Mucha, who was fouled anyway.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Now conferring with van Persie.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder behind a free kick.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It was hard to tell, because he narrowly sticks out above the blades of grass, but it looked like Sneijder threw his hands up in disgust.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bommel sent a superb ball to Robben, who put it behind the onrushing Sneijder.
[Comment from Jeremy]
His nickname is noun? Weird...
[Comment from rick vaughn]
odiously odiferous olfactory emanations
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I think you should absolutely try, Josh. And let me know how that goes.
[Comment from Josh]
Leander; do you think if I wrote a strongly worded letter to FIFA they'd award the two "Offside" goals to the US squad for the Ghana game?
Luke Cyphers: And, that in fact is his nickname.
[Comment from philologist]
mucha translated from Russian means Fly (noun)
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie tries to weave his way into the box but is stripped of the ball.
[Comment from Pun Aguero]
Robben nose he could've done better
[Comment from Pun Police]
Penalty Kick CYPHERS, it was snot that funny.
Luke Cyphers: They love Mucha in Slovakia, by the way. He was great during qualifying.
Luke Cyphers: Hit Mucha in the nose. Producing, I venture to guess, Muchas
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch corner eventually falls to Robben who feeds van Persie right in the box, but his finish smacks the Slovakian keeper in the face.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie turned cleverly but Slovakia's defenders saw through it. The clearance rolled to Robben, who wriggled through some legs and saw his left-footed shot slapped just wide.
Luke Cyphers: Donovan's against Algeria for the moment. Maicon's against communist Korea for the geometry
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Probably Tevez's yesterday. There have been a bunch of nice ones, that I can't all remember off the top of my head.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Can I say Lampard's?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Excitement! A Vittek ball rolls to Stekelenburg.
[Comment from Noel @ Leander/Luke]
In your opinion, which goal has been your favorite so far in this WC?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Well, they've kicked off anyway.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: This game is back on.
[Comment from Jim]
Luke is to Kuyt as Leander is to Hamsiks
[Comment from Rutger Hauer]
Luke is to Brad Pitt as Leander is to Rutger Hauer
[Comment from Megan]
Skywalker ... Fett?
[Comment from JV]
apples and oranges
[Comment from Tony]
Luke is to (blank) as Leander is to (blank)...fill in the blanks
[Comment from Daniel-Day Lewis]
HEY!!!! tell the world I was in My Left Foot, not Jeremy Irons, or there will be blood!!!
Luke Cyphers: Not the quality, exactly. Just the, um, action. Nothing has really happened since Robben's goal, which was very nice.
[Comment from Ryan]
Actually Kuyt still reminds me of Sloth from the Goonies...AYYY YOOUU GUUUYSSS!!!
[Comment from Dazza]
Again, is the lack of talk about the game any reflection on the quality of it?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That's a pretty good way to describe it.
[Comment from Chris]
Hamsik = Sonic the Hedgehog.
[Comment from Kuyt\'s Stylist]
LIKE OMG!!! That's is SOOOO exactly what I was going for!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It looks part '80s punk-rocker mohawk, part electrocuted.
Luke Cyphers: Sorry, Tyler. He's rocking a monster-truck mohawk. Nothing faux about it.
[Comment from Tyler]
What is so crazy about Hamsiks hair today? (for those of us at work who can't watch the game)
Luke Cyphers: The basketball assistant isn't. Everything else is becomes I'm the old man at the club.
[Comment from intern]
Kuyt looks like a troll from lord of the rings who found his way to netherlands
Luke Cyphers: CC, Most people who know me well are often awestruck with dumb.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: How come all your references are from the 80s, Luke?
Luke Cyphers: H-s, I'd say Kuyt's working toward a William Katt "Greatest American Hero" look from the early 80s, but falling short, sadly.
[Comment from CC]
If you can be dumbstruck with awe, is it feasible to believe that one can be awestruck with dumb?....Think about it....
[Comment from Cube Drone]
My boss just asked me to explain "offisde" to him. I asked if he wanted a PowerPoint presentation on it. He was not amused.
[Comment from Hair-stylist]
Luke, what look would you say Kuyt is trying to pull off?
ESPN Stats and Info: Arjen Robben's only other World Cup goal also came in the 18th minute. It was against Serbia and Montenegro in the 2006 group stage. Netherlands won that match 1-0
Luke Cyphers: Because we are all dumbstruck with awe, zack.
[Comment from zack]
why has nobody mentioned hamsiks hair
[Comment from US College Hoops Recruiting Assistant]
Hey at least we're not as bad as the US College Football Recruiting Assistants.
[Comment from Chile\'s Lawyer]
Luke, must we remind you of the cease-and-decist order?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Somehow.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It's half-time.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Never mind!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: At least one of which was for the broken linesman flag.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Two minutes of added time.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Another Stoch cross headed away before the Slovakians are called offside on the next play.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That looked kind of weird.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben got to the back line, but his cross was flubbed well wide by van Persie.
ESPN Stats and Info: Since 1986, teams leading at halftime in the Round of 16 or later are 43-3-3. They are 4-0-0 this year. The last loss was Italy in 2002 v. South Korea.
[Comment from Referee]
I quite like the hair. I give him props for it.
Luke Cyphers: Chile's so exciting, I barely noticed any of their hair styles.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A very long ball by Sneijder blazes past van Persie up front.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: That's quite specific, Luke!
Luke Cyphers: I wish Chile were playing.
Luke Cyphers: But overall the game has become boring enough to discuss player hair. Van Persie has perfected the U.S. college hoops young bend-the-rules-on-extra-benefits recruiting assistant look.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie on the run! But his shot was right at the keeper.
[Comment from Jim Joyce]
I agree with Koman, Leander.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It's very out of character, not to mention risky, to just give up on attacking.
Luke Cyphers: Dutch D is pretty impressive right now.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It was a goal kick, as it turns out. Should have been a corner, I reckon.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'm none too pleased with how the Dutch seem perfectly happy to sit on the 1-0 lead.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Corner to Slovakia.
[Comment from Koman Coulibaly]
Come on Leander, the officiating has been great!!! Stop!
[Comment from Mick Jagger]
Sorry Leander, I was rooting for Arjen Robbens' knee.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It wasn't to be.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Think of the bad offside calls that could have been avoided.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: No, he's not, his flag was broken!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The linesman is coming off!
[Comment from Cube Drone\'s Boss]
Its nice to be able to watch the game and pretend I am supervising
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben is down after a clumsy Slovakian defender accidentally kicks him in his knee.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Cleared.
[Comment from Cube Drone]
My boss keeps sticking his head in and watching the game over my shoulder. It's nice to not even have to pretend to work.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Long free kick to Slovakia.
Luke Cyphers: Iceman, I don't think Brazil-NED it would be as fast-paced. I don't think Chile will win. Just better viewing, is all I'm saying.
[Comment from Confidence]
We'll have to meet someday, Leander
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Long Slovakian shot tails well wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: For the record, yellow's will be erased after the quarterfinals, not after the Round of 16, as I had announced earlier.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben gets a yellow for a handball.
[Comment from ICEMAN]
Wouldn't Brazil-Netherlands be pretty fun too?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Risky play.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: A long free kick into the goal mouth by Stoch is hit away by de Jong, who put his heel to it.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: They'll blow it. Don't worry.
ESPN Stats and Info: The Netherlands are only the second team since 1994 to wear numbers 1-11 in the starting lineup. Brazil are the second team, doing it this year.
[Comment from Leander\'s Guilt]
Why did you give up on the Ducth? Seems they are winning Leander...
[Comment from Ben]
Yeah but how many disallowed goals were there in 1990? The average this year should be higher!
[Comment from C J]
Also averaging 1.5 bad calls per game, making it the worst ever!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch happily tapping it around.
ESPN Stats and Info: The 2010 World Cup is averaging 2.2 goals per match, which is tied with the 1990 World Cup as lowest ever.
Luke Cyphers: Probably not a lot, Kobra.
[Comment from KOBRA]
I'm with you Luke, but what chance does Chile have with 3 starters out today?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben takes it long, Kuyt headed it back but Sneijder committed a foul bringing it down.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Another corner to the Dutch.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Punched away.
Luke Cyphers: Dutch vs. Chile would be pretty fun.
[Comment from Lawrence]
That's quite a foreboding reminder Leander...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Persie's cross is blocked. Corner to the Netherlands.
ESPN Stats and Info: Slovakia are 2-8-2 when allowing the first goal in the World Cup with both of their wins coming in 1934 as Czechoslovakia
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Dutch now firmly in control of the ball.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Just a reminder, the winner of this game will play the winner of the game between Brazil and Chile in the quarterfinals.
Luke Cyphers: With you, Casey. But a few days ago, at least, scoring was way down this WC. Is that holding up, Stats?
[Comment from Casey P.]
GREAT world cup goals this year! SOO MANY amazing shots
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben, in a total disconnect with van der Wiel, passes it right out of bounds.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The wind really appears to be a factor here, especially for the Slovakians, who are playing into it.
ESPN Stats and Info: The Netherlands are 17-2-3 in World Cup play when scoring first
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Slovakia with a little more of the ball here, playing with some more urgency.
[Comment from Jeremy irons]
What about My Left Foot?
[Comment from Troy]
I worship Robben's left foot... that sounds kind of weird.
[Comment from Hup Holland Hup!]
ORANJE ORANJE ORANJE
[Comment from Josh]
Luke, what is the difference? The Dutch don't concede a goal during warm-ups and actually score first?
[Comment from nathan]
I'm going on record with a 3-0 prediction for this one
[Comment from tom]
Robbens left foot has repeatedly saved holland and bayern
[Comment from joe]
WELCOME ARJEN ROBBEN
Luke Cyphers: Nice run, nice finish. Nice.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: He got the ball on the right, and made his signature move, cutting into the left to set up his left leg and banged it in at the near post from 20 yards!
Luke Cyphers: That's the difference between Dutch and U.S. soccer.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: GOAL!!!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben on the run!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: If I die at age 52, I'm middle-aged too.
Luke Cyphers: Soon I'll be Maradona.
Luke Cyphers: I'm middle-aged and growing squatty.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Luke's pretty leggy.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I am. But not by much, I think.
[Comment from WorldCup Fan]
Whos taller? Leander or Luke?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Slovakia, please. Still would kind of like the Dutch to do well.
[Comment from Mick Jagger]
Leander, which team should I curse today?
[Comment from Sean\'s Boss]
Leander, thank you for giving me a reason to fire Sean.
[Comment from Netherlands]
Leander, please return your passport. You are no longer welcome here.
[Comment from brooklynite]
leander - i think you have a case of "stockholm syndrome"
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder, he has to stoop when he gets into the mushroom he's carved a house out of.
[Comment from Jabulani]
Who's taller Sneijder or Maradona?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Ha! Thanks, man.
[Comment from Sean]
Leander, thank you for giving me a reason to come to work.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Haven't you heard, I wrote a blog saying I found myself rooting for the U.S. more than the Dutch. That worked out well. Now of course the Dutch will automatically win it all after I've publicly forfeited my undying support.
Luke Cyphers: You weren't supposed to see that, Leander.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: On van Persie's header, by the way, the Slovakian defender quite blatantly had the ball hit his arm.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Van Bommel got a nice attack going, playing it in to van Persie, who advanced 30 yards before flipping it to Sneijder on his left. Sneijder's ball over the ground was easily saved.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Sneijder with the shot!
Luke Cyphers: Slovakia really trying to play fast when it has the ball. Maybe a realization that they won't have the ball a lot.
[Comment from Anonymous]
If God wanted the ball played in the air, he'd have made the grass taller.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Stoch's cross is scooped up by Stekelenburg.
[Comment from Arsene Wenger]
Could you please tell the Dutch to stop crossing the ball? Robin is going to get some weird ideas, like how playing the ball in the air is okay.
[Comment from Michael]
Waiting for Elia to be subbed in, most exciting player for the Dutch!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben's corner is headed away.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Kuyt with a splendid cross from out left to van Persie, whose header skidded off a defender and wide.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Oooh!
[Comment from robben fan]
waiting to see some Robben magic !!
ESPN Stats and Info: History tells us not to expect a lot of first half goals here. The two teams combined for just two goals in the first half during group play.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Slovakia will try to pounce on break-aways such as that one.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Hamsik gets a dangerous shot off!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Robben and Sneijder combine well and Sneijder gets a shot off.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Some day, Wesley Sneijder will be too, if he grows another inch of six.
Luke Cyphers: I'm a real boy!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: You're on the air, Luke.
Luke Cyphers: Hello. Having some technical difficulties. Is this thing on?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Slovakians, as they have all tournament, don't look the least bit intimidated.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Just over!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Jendricek gets a long shot off!
Leander Schaerlaeckens: The Slovakians on the ball.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're just about ready to go here!
[Comment from CS]
Leander's a red card waiting to happen
[Comment from FIFA]
Dear Leander, while we do not like technology on the pitch, we do have computers and do not appreciate what you are saying. Apologize or we will tell your mom.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Anthems here, as players are out.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: We're an arrogant and stubborn bunch, that's why. You got a problem with that?
[Comment from Chris]
Leander, why does seemingly every Dutch player have an attitutde problem??
Leander Schaerlaeckens: They're not supposed to interfere with the course of journalism. We should be able to criticize as we deem fit. Then again, there's a lot of things they shouldn't be doing, or to be more precise, should be doing.
[Comment from R_D]
Leander, aren't you afraid that if you keep talking about how bad the officiating is, you will get the Bavaria Girl treatment from FIFA?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Because they're a bunch of crusty old men that fear change.
[Comment from Justin P]
Leander why is FIFA so scared of instant replay?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: It appears so. They've been very careful with him, so the fact that he's starting would suggest that.
[Comment from tim]
is robben back to 100% ?
[Comment from JoeG]
I'll put $10 on each of those
[Comment from Jon]
Alright, I'm taking wagers: 3-1 a good goal is called back for offsides; 5-1 a goal is scored that should be disallowed for offsides; 10-1 a red card is given unfairly early; 25-1 a controversial penalty is awarded.
[Comment from sidewalk]
Im whats on 47th floor guys mind
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Pretty much.
[Comment from Patrick in NY]
So FIFA's official response is 'La la la la la, we're not listening"?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Well put.
[Comment from Matt]
Yeah that's the right approach. Get mad at the people that expose the problems, not the problems themselves.
[Comment from AJ]
soooooooo tired, need soccer to wake me up, hopefully we get some action in the first minutes
[Comment from Portugal]
I get withdrawls everyday once the 230 game is over...I need my soccer fix!
[Comment from Patrick]
My bosses hate me. More meetings during todays games
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Nope. FIFA has said it won't comment on refereeing decision. It did say that it's annoyed that today's wrongly given offside goal by Tevez was shown over and again on the big screen though.
[Comment from Jim]
Do you think there is any chance that FIFA will impelement some type of replay after this World Cup?
[Comment from Dutch as can be]
Hup Holland HUP!!!!
[Comment from Johnboy]
50% Slovakian... now that the US is out, I am all for Slovakia!
[Comment from fabian]
FYI - The Jersey of the Netherlands is bright orange in color, inspired by the coat of arms of the Dutch founding father, William of Orange-Nassau. At present, the away Jersey of Netherlands football team is nassau blue in color.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Hmm...
[Comment from Nick]
Let's see how many botched calls there are today...
Leander Schaerlaeckens: And other than that, what's on your mind?
[Comment from guy from 47th floor]
*splat*
Leander Schaerlaeckens: How is everyone?
Leander Schaerlaeckens: I'll be joined by ESPN The Mag senior writer Luke Cyphers.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Bringing you Netherlands-Slovakia today, the fifth of eight Round of 16 games.
Leander Schaerlaeckens: Morning, Everybody!