The Dutch made it two for two on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Japan, already securing a place in the next round, but they've yet to look entirely convincing. Neither have any of the other contenders, save for maybe Argentina, but without the World Cup pedigree of a Brazil or Italy, Bert van Marwijk's side won't be given the same benefit of the doubt that it can turn things on when it matters.
There is a sense, however, that the Netherlands' World Cup campaign will only begin in earnest if and when Arjen Robben finally takes the field. He sat out again on Saturday and without Robben the Dutch failed to create a single clear-cut scoring chance in the entire first half, only breaking through early in the second half thanks to yet another grotesque goalkeeping error.
Wesley Sneijder's one-time shot from the edge of the area should have been easily parried by Japan's Eiji Kawashima, who instead deflected the ball into the back of his net. Kawashima's mistake would normally be a candidate for howler of the tournament, but in this World Cup it probably doesn't even crack the top five so far, and yet the Dutch were unable to build on their lead.
In the absence of Robben, the one player who has added some sizzle to the side is tricky winger Eljero Elia, who came off the bench to create two good opportunities late in the game. And if Marwijk can figure out a way to fit Robben, Sneijder and Elia in the same lineup, while maintaing some semblance of balance, the Dutch may yet look like the team that was such a trendy pick to win this tournament.
In the meantime, the Netherlands are winning without playing great, which is more than can be said for some other top teams. They clinched a place in the next round later on in the day when Cameroon fell to Denmark 2-1, as the Indomitable Lions became the first country officially eliminated. Samuel Eto'o gave his team the lead before Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl overturned matters.
Another African side squandered an opportunity to take complete control of its group, as Ghana was held to a 1-1 draw by an Australia team that played a man down for the final 65 minutes thanks to the first-half sending off of Harry Kewell. Ghana still leads Group D, but now may need a result against Germany in its final match to avoid being eliminated in the first round.
Goal Of The Day
Denmark fell behind early on Saturday thanks to a horrible giveaway by midfielder Christian Poulsen, but Simon Kjaer picked up his teammate late in the first half by setting up the equalizer. Kjaer found the streaking Dennis Rommedahl with a glorious 45-yard pass, and Rommedahl promptly squared across for Nicklas Bendtner to finish one of the best team moves of this World Cup so far.
Cameroon's opener also deserves mention as following Poulsen's mistake, Pierre Webo did well to find Samuel Eto'o in the box, and the Inter-Milan star beat goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen with a right-footed shot. Eto'o hasn't appeared in the right of frame for this tournament, even threatening to quit the team at one point, but he was very active against Denmark, also hitting the post in the first half.
Performance Of The Day
The best of match of the day, and maybe the whole tournament so far, featured a strong performance by Dennis Rommedahl, as the Danish winger was at the heart of all of his team's best moves against Cameroon. Rommedahl provided the assist for Nicklas Bendtner's equalizer, then gave his side the lead early in the second half with a brilliant left-footed shot from the right side of the area.
Like the rest of his teammates, Rommedahl struggled to exert much influence against the Dutch, but he was ever present on Saturday, as Denmark came from behind to notch a monumental victory, knocking Cameroon out of the tournament. Next up for Morten Olsen's side will be a matchup against Japan on Thursday to determine who joins the Netherlands in the next round.
Most Shocking Event
A scary moment near the end of the Ghana-Australia match, as Ghanian defender John Pantsil collided with Australia's Joshua Kennedy in his own box, and lay motioneless on the ground for a couple of minutes with blood coming out of his face. Pantsil eventually was helped off the field so the game could continue, but his status for the final group match against Germany remains unclear.
The only other schocking aspect of today's games was the continuation of the terrible goalkeeping at this World Cup. Eiji Kawashima's blunder against the Netherlands has already been covered, but Ghana's Richard Kingson also had a big hand in Australia's opening goal by spilling Mark Bresciano's weak shot directly into the path of Brett Holman, who fired home the rebound.
Referee Report Card
Tim Cahill's sending off against Germany might have been harsh, but there can be no complaints about the red card shown to Harry Kewell in the first half against Ghana, as the Australian midfielder blocked a shot on the goal-line with his arms. Italian referee Roberto Rosetti didn't hesitate to point to the stop, and gave Kewell, who was making his return from a groin injury, a straight red card.
It was the only big decision in a quiet day for referees that had to be a relief for FIFA after all the controvery surrounding Yesterday's USA-Slovenia match. The standard of officiating was so strong the first few days the name of this category was actually changed to reflect that, but sooner or later referees were going to rear their heads and become a major talking point at this World Cup.
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