Saturday, 9 June 2012

Game 3: Netherlands 0 - Denmark 1

The first tournament shock saw a far superior Dutch team turned over by the Danes. Perhaps it is indeed destiny that Niclas Bendtner will become the world's greatest player; as he seems to think. It was not dissimilar to watching Chelsea sneaking their wins versus Barcelona and Bayern; basically lucking it, but in doing so exposing the fact that the Dutch are pretty vulnerable at the back. This won't escape Portugal and Germany, both of whom have the firepower to expose this further.

Robben seemed to have an off day; sometimes he's unstoppable, and sometimes bereft of confidence, and hitting the post aside, he didn't create much. Van Persie seemed to have a dose of the Kerzhakov's (see Russia game yesterday), generally shanking or striking air rather than slotting chances.

The Dutch manager may yet be forced to be more positive. The fact that Huntelaar (ludicrously prolific) and Van der Vaart (class, and too dangerous to leave on the bench, remember that?) were not in the team suggests a caution that could cost the team progression to the quarters.

Krohn-Delhi (not a very Danish sounding name) scored a decent goal. Simon Poulson stood out (you know what to do Paul Lambert) and it is good to see the Rory Delap effect spreading from Stoke to Copenhagen, Kvist launching the long through ins.

If nothing else this result really spices up the group.

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