Robben returns as Dutch make quarters
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Goals from Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder gifted the Netherlands a 2-1 win over Slovakia on Monday and a berth in 2010 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.
Robben, a dribbling master for Bayern Munich, cut inside from the right in the 18th minute, dancing past two defenders outside the box and firing a shot in at the near post.
Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart dropped to the bench to give Robben a chance to start for the first time in this World Cup and the latter made it.
Robben said after the game that he had been out for quite a long time and he knew he "must be explosive" in the match.
"I played confidently in the game, but I know it was not my top form," he noted. "The most important thing is that we win the first match of the knockout stage. We will relax tonight and sit and watch the game between Brazil and Chile."
Before Robben's goal, both sides played cautiously in a balanced game.
After the goal, the game returned to slow track and both made few scoring chances in the first half.
Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk said:"I don't think we played that bad. We have created many scoring chances. Anyway, we came here for the biggest prize and we need wins first."
"We deserved the win today," he noted. "Slovakia are very tough and they had chances to tie the score or even win the game."
"I must thanked Robben and our keeper today," he added.
Before the game, the Netherlands topped Group E with nine points, beating Denmark 2-0, Japan 1-0 and Cameroon 2-1. Slovakia, the World Cup debutants, finished second in Group F, drawing 1-1 with New Zealand, losing 2-0 to Paraguay, but stunning defending champions Italy 3-2 to advance.
After the interval, Slovakia sped up their attacking pace first and brought the whole game into quick tempo.
Around 51st minute, the Dutch men played superb football. Arsenal striker Van Persie worried defender Jan Durica, who cleared to Robben. Robben dribbled in the same way of his first half scoring and blasted a shot at almost the same point. But it was brilliantly turned round the post by Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha this time.
After seconds, Robben raced into the area and found Van Persie, but Mucha made a wonderful save again, stopping it from point blank range with his face.
Around 66th minute, Slovakia shocked the Netherlands once and again. Midfielder Miroslav Stoch came inside and smashed a shot towards goal. Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg had to tip it over the bar.
Robert Vittek was clean through minutes later, having only the keeper to beat from 16 yards but his shot hit right at Stekelenburg.
"Vittek got some scoring chances, but we are not lucky to convert them," said Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss.
On 73 minutes, Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt had a crack from 25 yards and Mucha slipped on his way across before turning it behind for a corner.
The second goal came in the 84th minute when Mucha had a nightmare as he rushed out for a long ball and Kuyt stole it, squared and Sneijder tapped in.
However, in injury time, Stekelenburg brought down Vittek in the box to help the Slovakia top scorer grab his fourth goal in the World Cup from the spot.
"This goal made Vittek feel good," said Weiss.
The Netherlands will face the winners of Brazil vs Chile in the quarterfinals.
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