Netherlands had to come from behind as they eventually saw off Australia 3-2 and are now in touching distance of the second round.
- By Michael Bell
- Follow Michael on Twitter
Australia said they were going to attack Netherlands from the kick off, and they stuck with their promise as the Dutch were put under tremendous pressure from the start.
After being second best for twenty minutes a tremendous piece of individual skill from Arjen Robben handed Netherlands the lead, with the winger spinning his marker on the halfway line before storming up the field and finishing into the bottom corner.
However the lead only lasted 70 seconds as straight from the kick off a long ball forward was tremendously thumped first time into the top corner by Tim Cahill to level for the Aussies. The goal immediately brought back memories of Marco van Basten from 1988, it was a stunning strike.
The goal galvanized Australia and they missed a great opportunity to take the lead before half time as Mark Bresciano skied an effort over the bar.
An injury to Bruno Martins Indi, now confirmed as concussion, forced Louis van Gaal to change his tactics and bring on winger Memphis Depay and move to 4-3-3.
The change worked and Netherlands were much better after the break, but they fell behind on 54 minutes after the referee gave a harsh penalty against Daryl Janmaat. The right back’s trailing hand blocked Leckie’s cross, and Mile Jedinak sent Jasper Cillessen the wrong way from the spot.
Netherlands fought back though as Memphis Depay sent Robin van Persie through on goal, and the striker made no mistake with an emphatic finish on 57 minutes.
Then Depay, who was making his debut in the World Cup, sent a 30 yard strike into the bottom corner to put Netherlands 3-2 up 10 minutes later. A brilliant moment from the PSV winger who was the biggest talent in the Eredivisie last season.
As Australia pushed forward, Netherlands created chances to kill the game off, but the likes of Robben, Van Persie, and Jeremain Lens could not take advantage.
Netherlands held on for the three points which puts them in touching distance of the second round, but the game will have raised questions around the 5-3-2 formation. In the first half the Dutch were overrun by Australia, but improved greatly when switching to 4-3-3, and Van Gaal may have to use this formation going into the next round.
After this game, Netherlands have a new global star in Memphis Depay, and are all but certain to be in the next round, but improvement is need against Chile on Monday.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
If Blind and Jammat are to get forward then De Guzman needs to go. Clasie has to play.
very dissapointed from sneijder blind jaanmat.i think lvg made a mistake not including van anholt in the 23 players list because he is quicker than blind and supports thed attackers more than blind does
I re-watched the game Australia played hard but I think Holland were a little complacent after Robben’s goal. Aussies come right back and they got rattled and except for Vlaar’s huge error after the penalty Holland had 3 clear cut scoring chances not converted. The PK was wrong, Cahill was a one in a 100 strike so its good Holland had to sweat it out. The better team won, was it amazing no , was it dominant NO but after RVP tied it Holland were far the better side. Only change I’d make is De Guzman out and Georginio in. Like I;ve said before been watching since I was 12(74). Now a tie or win against Chile is a must to avoid Brazil which they could beat but not the refs too.
What rubbish MGO. You must have been watching a different match. Oranje played like they were world champions already, against a young side with nothing to lose. Big mistake and wrong tactics. The last time these sides played, Australia won. With Van Persie, with Robben. Last night was the first time Australia has lost to Netherlands.
Better team won, no. Better individuals won, yes. Two of the three goals were from exceptional individual line-breaking runs. Yet Australia had more quality chances and panicked in front of goal.
And in spite of your nerves, Oranje held it and won a match they could easily have dropped. An unexpectedly spectacular and crackling game, in contrast to the snorefests from South Africa in 2010. Best WC since France, maybe better.