Holland vs Japan

Holland made it two wins out of two in Group E with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Japan in Durban. I did say there was something about this Holland side that is really striking unlike most dutch teams in major tournaments.I figured it out and its a mixture of a great team spirit with no major egos clashing and a blend of silky skills and aggression that they are not worried to scrap with the scrappers and dance with the dancers.The successful seasons in Robben and Sneider havent showed in any sense that fatigue is catching up because they are enjoying their football and eager to get the ball and play and that’s been missing in alot of teams lately.Yet is far more than those two players as they may spring a surprise in the talented Afellay who is yet to be exposed on the scene or the leadership of Van Der Vaart.

De Jong and Heitinga battling to win the ball back and spread the play expanding the field and not letting the typical compact side overcrowd them in the middle.Wesley Sneijder’s powerful 52nd-minute winner from just outside the box settled a fascinating Group E contest between two contrasting sides who opened up in the second half and were creating good chances right up to the final whistle.The Japanese do have the engine to match teams for stamina and endurance but just lacked in technical ability compared to the Dutch.With a passing success rate of 86.5% and a tackle success rate of 81 % this dutch side is definitely putting the hard work in and pushing their personal best boundaries. Holland 1 Japan 0