Ball bounces in favour of the Dutch

JOHANNESBURG (AP):

The Netherlands needed a couple of lucky bounces to break down Denmark's sturdy defence for a 2-0 win yesterday, despite struggling to live up to their billing as one of the most dangerous attacking teams at the World Cup.

The Dutch took the lead through a fluke own goal in the 46th minute when Denmark defender Simon Poulsen headed a ball off the back of teammate Daniel Agger and into the net when trying to clear a cross from Robin van Persie.

Dirk Kuyt doubled the lead in the 85th when he tapped in a rebound off the post from close range.

"We wanted to play beautiful football but we lost the ball," Netherlands coach Bert Van Marwijk said. "(But) from time to time, you could see how good we can be."

They still had to rely on a bit of luck, as Van Persie beat an onrushing Thomas Sorensen to a long through ball down the left flank before squaring up to send a cross into the area. Poulsen had plenty of time and space to clear the ball, but his off-balance header bounced off Agger's back before trickling into the net.

"That was like a bucket of cold water over our heads," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said. "Simon Poulsen was one of our better players but he was unlucky. It's one of those things that happens in football."

Poulsen said he saw the ball too late and that it "practically hit me in the face".

"I was just thinking, this can't be happening," Poulsen said.

Line-ups

Netherlands: Maarten Stekelen-burg; Gregory van der Wiel, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Mark van Bommel, Dirk Kuyt, Nigel de Jong (Demy de Zeeuw, 88), Robin van Persie (Ibrahim Afellay, 77), Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart (Eljero Elia, 67).

Denmark: Thomas Sorensen, Christian Poulsen, Simon Kjaer, Daniel Agger, Lars Jacobsen, Martin Jorgensen, Nicklas Bendtner (Mikkel Beckmann, 62), Thomas Kahlenberg (Christian Eriksen, 73), Simon Poulson, Dennis Rommedahl, Thomas Enevoldsen (Jesper Gronkjaer, 56).