by The Netherlands became the first European team to earn six points from its first two games at this year's World Cup, beating Japan 1-0 Saturday but still not displaying the kind of fluid football that fans are waiting for.
Wesley Sneijder scored the only goal in the 53rd minute as the Dutch finally broke down a stubborn Japanese defense in Durban.
"Why do we focus on good football instead of winning?'' Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "Let me assure you that we really, really want to win and if we can do that in style then great. But you have to be able to win ugly games.''
In Rustenburg, 10-man Australia held on to earn a point in a 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Later Saturday, Denmark was playing Cameroon in Pretoria.
Japan's stifling defense worked well against a Dutch team that has been expected to play an exciting brand at football at the tournament in South Africa. But Robin van Persie dropped a ball back to Sneijder, who sent a powerful shot past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
"We pressed in the second half and got a goal,'' Sneijder said. "This is the kind of game we maybe could have got two or three goals, but we won it and that's great.''
The win put the Netherlands in first place in Group E with six points. Argentina, which is in Group B, is the only other team in the tournament with six points so far.
Australia took the lead in Rustenburg when Brett Holman put back a rebound in the 11th minute, but the Socceroos then lost Harry Kewell to a red card in the 24th for a handball.
A minute later, Asamoah Gyan converted from the penalty spot to earn the 1-1 draw.
"I think it was definitely not a red card,'' Australia coach Pim Verbeek said. "What can you do with your arm? You can't cut it off.''
Ghana now leads Group D with four points, followed by Germany and Serbia with three each. Australia is last with one point.
Also, France striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the World Cup for insulting coach Raymond Domenech during a team talk.
The French football federation said Saturday that the Chelsea striker was thrown out for refusing to publicly apologize to Domenech.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/wires/06/19/2080.ap.soc.wcup.roundup.1st.ld.writethru.0656/#ixzz0rKf2po4M
Wesley Sneijder scored the only goal in the 53rd minute as the Dutch finally broke down a stubborn Japanese defense in Durban.
"Why do we focus on good football instead of winning?'' Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk said. "Let me assure you that we really, really want to win and if we can do that in style then great. But you have to be able to win ugly games.''
In Rustenburg, 10-man Australia held on to earn a point in a 1-1 draw against Ghana.
Later Saturday, Denmark was playing Cameroon in Pretoria.
Japan's stifling defense worked well against a Dutch team that has been expected to play an exciting brand at football at the tournament in South Africa. But Robin van Persie dropped a ball back to Sneijder, who sent a powerful shot past Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
"We pressed in the second half and got a goal,'' Sneijder said. "This is the kind of game we maybe could have got two or three goals, but we won it and that's great.''
The win put the Netherlands in first place in Group E with six points. Argentina, which is in Group B, is the only other team in the tournament with six points so far.
Australia took the lead in Rustenburg when Brett Holman put back a rebound in the 11th minute, but the Socceroos then lost Harry Kewell to a red card in the 24th for a handball.
A minute later, Asamoah Gyan converted from the penalty spot to earn the 1-1 draw.
"I think it was definitely not a red card,'' Australia coach Pim Verbeek said. "What can you do with your arm? You can't cut it off.''
Ghana now leads Group D with four points, followed by Germany and Serbia with three each. Australia is last with one point.
Also, France striker Nicolas Anelka was sent home from the World Cup for insulting coach Raymond Domenech during a team talk.
The French football federation said Saturday that the Chelsea striker was thrown out for refusing to publicly apologize to Domenech.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/wires/06/19/2080.ap.soc.wcup.roundup.1st.ld.writethru.0656/#ixzz0rKf2po4M
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