Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban
The Netherlands moved into the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup at the expense of Slovakia with a 2-1 victory over the tournament debutants in front of 61 962 spectators on Monday.
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Seeking a place in the final for only the third time after being runners-up to Germany in 1974 and to Argentina in 1978, the Orange XI extended their unbeaten run in international matches to 23, dating back to September 2008 when they lost to Australia in Eindhoven.
A goal in each half by the more constructive Netherlands team saw their always in control in a match that never rose to any great heights, while Slovakia's goal came in injury time from a penalty kick converted by Robert Vittek after the Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, was adjudged to have brought down late substitute, Martin Sapara.
Apart from Robben's goal in the 18th minute of the first half there was little for the crowd to enthuse over, the Dutch making full use of the width of the field against a well-marshalled Slovakian defence in which central defenders Jan Durica and Martin Skrtel, gave Manchester City striker, Robin van Persie, little room to manoeuvre in.
Robben's goal was well constructed, the winger cutting in square with the ball at his feet as Van Persie ran a decoy to the right splitting up the defenders, giving Robben just enough time and space to line up his shot at goal which saw the ball scrape in at the near post, eluding the fingertips of goalkeeper Jan Mucha.
Slovakia, who came to the tournament as minnows, have developed into a unit to be reckoned with, especially after sending Italy packing at the group stage with a famous 3-2 victory and the Dutch players had to respect that.
The second half saw Slovakia come out of their shells with several missed chances, one a long range shot by Juraj Kucka which flew past an upright.
Miroslav Stoch unleashed a shot inside the area which the Dutch goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, did well to get his hands to for a corner which saw Robert Vittek with an open goal from eight metres and the goal at his mercy only to shoot straight at Stekelenburg who punched the ball away to safety.
But the Netherlands had several chances of their own to increase their lead, twice soon after the restart when shots by Arjen Robben and Van Persie were both on target.
Robben was having a field day out on the right wing and posed a threat to the Sovakia defence every time he got the ball in the clear.
The hard-working Dirk Kuyt on the other wing also had his moments, one with a header inside the area that went over the bar and the other a thunderbolt of a shot that goalkeeper Mucha could only turn away for a corner.
Netherlands virtually clinched the tie in the 84th minute in a breakaway that saw the Slovakian defence in disarray, Kuyt getting a hold of a long clearance out on the left and controlling the ball before setting up Wesley Sneijder who side-footed the ball into an empty net.