Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia
In essentially knocking out holders Italy, it is perhaps true that Slovakia had achieved their aims for this World Cup tournament because they really lacked any ambition today. It took them until the stroke of half time for their first shot at goal. At this stage they were already a goal down to Arjen Robben's fine strike from just outside the penalty box. Wesley Sneijder made it two nil on 84 minutes from Dirk Kuyt's pull back and the Slovak's gained their consolation goal with the last kick of the match as Vittek converted the penalty following the Dutch 'keeper Stekelenburg's slightly unnecessary foul on late substitute Jakubko.
With guaranteed South American opposition in the quarter finals, the Dutch will need to raise their game on today's showing. This may prove a tad difficult as their progress so far has been relatively unchallenged. Denmark were poor, Japan too lightweight and the Cameroon game academic. But we shall see, there is none of the usual bitching and back-biting from the men in orange so let's hope that can, because a good World Cup needs a strong performance from the Dutch.
