World Cup 2010, Netherlands Vs. Denmark: Dutch Win Convincingly, 2-0

Netherlands Vs. Denmark: Dutch Take World Cup Opener With Convincing 2-0 Victory

You got the feeling that the sheer force of Dutch numbers would eventually collapse the stout Danish defense late in this game, and that is precisely what happened.

After dominating possession and showing much flair with only a Danish own goal to show for it, Clockwork Orange broke through and effectively ended the match when Dirk Kuyt cleaned up an Eljero Elia shot off the post for a 2-0 lead. After that the Dutch, held in check for much of the match, threatened again late but dribbled away the clock to take the points and the victory in group play.

If there was one revelation for the Dutch is was the play of Elia, who came off the bench and added some needed edge to the Netherlands’ skilled but frustrated attack. He could see a start in the next game against Japan, and if he continues his energetic play the Dutch could be a rolling ball of knives for anyone in their way to handle.

As for Denmark and the requisite Hamlet reference to be made here, the hesitation offensively doomed the masterful defensive effort in limiting the Dutch to just one manufactured goal. (The own-goal was the result of Dutch pressure, but it still feels cheap to credit them outright.) To advance they’ll need something more from midfield, where they were dispossessed early and often by Holland.

Denmark's Own Goal Against Netherlands Credited To Simon Poulsen

The 46th minute own goal that put the Netherlands into the lead has been credited to Denmark’s Simon Poulsen.

Poulsen headed Robin van Persie’s cross into the back of teammate Daniel Agger, with the deflection going just inside Thomas Sorensen’s right post.

Instead of crediting the own goal to the man who had the last touch, Poulsen has been awarded the own goal.

Simon Poulson, Daniel Agger Combine For Own Goal, Putting Netherlands Up 1-0

It will go down as an own goal by Daniel Agger, but it was left back Simon Poulson’s header into his teammates’ back that led to Netherlands’ first goal. Less than one minute into the second half, the Dutch are up 1-0 on the tournament’s first own goal.

The chance was created by Robin van Persie, who put a dangerous call in from the left side. Poulsen tried to flick the ball clear but ended up putting it into his teammate’s back. The deflected ball beat goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen to open scoring.

Before the own goal, the Dutch had shown life that was not apparent in the first half, the resulting pressure creating the match’s first goal.

Netherlands, Denmark Scoreless At Half In Johannesburg

Denmark has eliminated the space the Netherlands are famous for exploiting, leading to a scoreless first half where Morten Olsen’s men were able to create the better chances.

But between the two teams, there were few scoring opportunities, with Netherlands’ dominance in possession limited the Danes while strong positional play from Denmark – combined with good clean-up work from central defender Daniel Agger – kept the Dutch to one shot on goal.

Denmark, however, had the two best chances. Nicklas Bendtner was served for a header opportunity by Dennis Rommedhal, but the Arsenal striker poorly took has chance, wasting the scoring opportunity.

Later in the half, Bendtner created an opportunity through the left for Thomas Kahlenberg, but the low-percentage chance was saved at the near post by Maarten Stekelenburg.

Denmark would have two shots on goal in the half with 36 percent of the possession. The Netherlands had one shot and 64 percent of the ball.

Nicklas Bendtner Surprise Inclusion In Danish Lineup

Denmark has received a boost ahead of their match with the Netherlands (to start momentarily) as striker Nicklas Bendtner has passed a pre-match fitness test to make Morten Olsen’s starting lineup.

Bendtner’s groin injury made him a probable exclusion from the Danish side that opens their World Cup today against the Netherlands in Johannesburg; however, the striker will not be in the team, playing the central striker in Olsen’s 4-3-3, after showing himself fit during warm-ups.

World Cup 2010, Netherlands Vs. Denmark Preview: Robben-less Oranje Open Tournament With Danes

The Netherlands will be without their best player, right wing Arjen Robben, who injured his hamstring in the Dutch's final friendly before leaving for South Africa. Dont cry too long for the Netherlands, however. To replace him, they'll bring in Rafeal van der Vaart, and elite attacker in his own right. And against Denmark, they should not miss a beat.

That speaks more to the lack of a drop from Robben to van der Vaart, as the Danes bring a disciplined and adept team into South Africa. Still, Morten Olsen is suffering from a number of significant injuries. As of now, it looks like Nicklas Bendtner, Denmark's best scoring option, misses this match. Defender Simon Kjaer is also a doubt, as is goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

Those absences will create an even larger talent gap between the Danes and the Dutch, a gap that's created by Dutch talents Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder. Even the Dutch's ancillary talents, like Dirk Kuyt, would be welcomes with open-arms by other coaches. While a Dutch back line that features the likes of John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen and the venerable Giovanni van Bronckhorst leaves a little to be desired, it combined with the Dutch's midfield strength will be difficult for Denmark to over come.

And as always, the Dutch are in fine form coming into this World Cup. In their last appearance in Amsterdam, the Oranje rolled to a 6-1 win over Hungary. Granted, coach Bert van Marjwik would likely trade that result for Robben's healthy, but the lopsided score remains an indication of where the Netherlands team is at.

If there is an upset to be pulled, it will dep end on the two Danish defensive midfielders, Christian and Jakob Poulsen, willing battles at the point the Dutch move into the middle part of the final third, taking the possession they win an quickly moving into attack, before the Dutch have had a chance to get their ever-advancing fullbacks back into the defense.

Whether Denmark can accomplish that or not, it stands to be an entertaining affair. If waking up for the early game yesterday was not worth the alarm, today's will make up for your lost sleep.