The second round of World Cup group C matches got underway with an enthrauling contest between the in form Netherlands and little fancied Australia.
The teams experienced very different fortunes during the opening round of games, with Australia unlucky to lose against Chile while the Netherlands demolished the holders Spain 5-1.
Australia saw plenty of the ball in the first 20 minutes or so but fell behind to Arjen Robben who is in fine goal scoring form so far in this World Cup. The former Chelsea man picked the ball up on halfway before beating any player in his wake, before slotting past Aussie keeper Matt Ryan.
However, the Australian side hit back instantaneously from the kick off, with Tim Cahill adding to his goal against Chile with arguably the goal of the competition so far, scoring a powerful yet controlled volley in off the bar after a cross field pass from Ryan McGowan. 1-1 after 21 minutes.
The Dutch now pushed men forward but the Australian organisation meant that they did a good job of limiting the amount of chances that could be created. Indeed, the Aussie’s looked like the only team likely to score, but both sides failed to do so for the remainder of the first 45, and it was one a piece at the break,
PSV’s Memphis Dempay came on at the break and would go on to play a big part in eventually turning the game back in the Netherlands’ favour. However, it wouldn’t be before the Aussie’s were harshly awarded a penalty thanks to a handball by Janmaat.
The right-back’s hands were low and close to the body but the referee deemed it enough to award a penalty, and Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak cooly tucked it away to give the Australian’s a shock lead against the group favourites on 54 minutes. The lead could have been doubled just minutes later after Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar saw his header miss the target.
And, as so often happens, the Netherlands went down the other end of the pitch and equalised through Robin Van Persie who, thus far, Australia had done well to lock out of the game. However, the Manchester United striker latched onto a clever pass from Sneijder before finishing empahtically into the roof of the Aussie net. 2 each in an action packed game.
Depay had looked promising when he had been given the ball and he gave the Dutch anohter option on the ball to try and break Australia down. However, his side could have lost Van Persie after he was lucky to escape a second yellow after a challenge on McGowan.
Depay’s impressive second half performance was topped off with what turned out to be the winning goal. He was given far too much space as he ran into the Australian half and the PSV man had a try from distance.
The shot wasn’t the best he’ll ever hit, but the bounce made it awkward for Matt Ryan who will be disappointed with his efforts to save the ball as the shot found the bottom right hand corner and gave the Dutch the lead for the second time in the game. 2-3 on 68 minutes.
Australia had a few chances to level ot once again in the remaining 20 minutes, most of which came from set pieces but the Dutch backline was ultimately too strong. Lens had a chance to get a fourth for the Dutch but saw his shot saved by Matt Ryan but time ran out before Australia had a chance to go up the other end.
Full time: Australia 2-3 Netherlands
Group B continues later on today (Wednesday) with Spain’s must win game as they take on Chile, who sit on three points and in second place after playing just the one game. A loss for Spain would see the holders out the competition after just two games.
