Sunday, June 20, 2010
Netherlands and Japan goalless at half-time
4:09 PM | 
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Unknown
| Saturday, June 19, 2010 |
 DURBAN: The Netherlands were drawing 0-0 with Japan at half-time of their World Cup Group E game here on Saturday.Chances were far and few between for the two sides who both won their opening games of the tournament, the Dutch against Denmark and the Blue Samurai against Cameroon. Japan played deep in defence and were largely content to sit back while the Netherlands stroked the ball around the middle of the park. The Dutch did become bogged down, however, and it was the Asian giants who had the upper hand as the whistle blew for half-time. Wesley Sneijder had arguably the first chance of the game, blasting his free-kick high over the goal after Robin van Persie was brought down on the edge of the box. Dirk Kuyt's acrobatic bicycle-kick effort a moment later was cleared by Japan's Brazil-born defender Tulio Tanaka in a congested six-yard box. Japan pressed back and after a neat inter-change of passes between Yuto Nagatomo and Daisuke Matsui, the former sent a low shot just past the upright of Maarten Stekelenburg's goal. In the 33rd minute, Kasisuke Honda rose to meet a free-kick swung in by Yashuhito Endo, but the CSKA Moscow striker's header went high over the bar. Tanaka was then on the end of another free-kick but similarly his header went askew. Some sustained Japanese pressure saw Matsui have a snap volley saved easily by Stekelenburg, who was called into action in the 40th minute to parry Matsui's dipping shot from the edge of the area. |
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