DURBAN, South Africa — Wesley Sneijder scored the only goal today and the Netherlands beat Japan 1-0 for its second straight World Cup win.
Also today, despite an early ejection of one of its veterans, Australia hung on for a 1-1 draw with Ghana.
Sneijder’s 53rd-minute strike finally broke through a Japanese defense that had stifled Dutch creativity in front of 62,010 fans at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
The Netherlands again failed to live up to its billing as one of the most fluid attacking teams of the tournament. The Dutch struggled to a 2-0 victory over Denmark in its first Group E match, while Japan had a 1-0 win over Cameroon.
The Dutch will advance to the knockout phase of the tournament if Cameroon and Denmark tie later today.
Striker Robin van Persie missed chances for the Dutch before finally setting up Sneijder’s goal. He laid the ball back and the Inter Milan midfielder fired a powerful right-footed shot that goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima could only deflect into his net.
Japan responded going on the attack and Yoshito Okubo had two shots in quick succession, the first saved by Maarten Stekelenburg and the second over the bar.
Substitute Ibrahim Afellay came close to doubling the Dutch lead in the 84th and again in the 88th minute when he twice bore down on the Japan goal, but he was foiled both times by good saves from Kawashima diving at his feet.
Japan nearly made the Netherlands pay for those misses in the final minutes when substitute Shinji Okazaki latched onto a deep cross at the far post but shot just over the bar.
“Our players did everything they could, but we could not beat the Netherlands,” Japan coach Takeshi Okada said. “We feel sorry for the fans.”
The Netherlands is a two-time World Cup finalist — losing in 1974 and 1978 — while Japan’s best finish was reaching the round of 16 when it co-hosted the tournament with South Korea in 2002.
The win set a new record of 10 straight victories for the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers and finals matches — a run that includes eight qualification matches and its two victories in South Africa.
It also extended the Dutch record of never losing to an Asian team.
Australia’s Socceroos held on for a 1-1 draw despite Ghana’s man advantage for more than 66 minutes in the World Cup otoday, further tightening Group D.
Australia forward Brett Holman scored in the 11th minute after goalkeeper Richard Kingson bobbled a free kick from Mark Bresciano right into his path. Holman put the rebound past the keeper.
Harry Kewell led the Australian attack against Ghana as one of four changes to the team beaten by Germany. But he was given a red card in the 24th minute after he blocked a shot from Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah at the goal line with his upper arm.
“It’s devastating for me,” Kewell said. “There was no intent. The referee has killed my World Cup.”
Kewell said he had to watch the rest of the match in the dressing room with a security guard.
Asamoah Gyan converted the penalty kick in the 25th minute for his second goal of the tournament, both from the penalty spot.
Australia coach Pim Verbeek said Kewell shouldn’t have been sent off, calling it a hard shot that he couldn’t move his arm away from.
“I think it was definitely not a red card,” he said. “What can you do with your arm? You can’t cut it off.”
Ghana nearly went ahead two minutes later when Prince Tagoe’s close-range shot carried just wide, and again just before halftime. Forward Kevin-Prince Boateng made a speedy run down the right wing and fired his shot toward the far post. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made a magnificent diving save.
The Black Stars top Group D with four points, followed by Serbia and Germany with three each, Australia with one. Ghan plays Germany on Wednesday.
Ghana captain John Mensah and fellow defender Isaac Vorsah were out because of injuries, and coach Milovan Rajevac said that was a factor in the opening goal.
“Instead of two defenders we had to use two young players,” Rajevac said. “We got off to a bad start, conceding a goal. After that, we started to fight.
“We shouldn’t have given that goal away. It’s very difficult to attack a team with a good defense.”
Verbeek still thinks there’s a chance to advance after Wednesday’s match against Serbia.
“We’re still in the race,” he said. “The boys were fighting for everything, and with everything they had. I can only be proud of the players.”
The Black Stars continually broke through Australia’s defense and threatened to score, but couldn’t finish. The 10-man Aussies also attacked and came close to a winner several times.
Australia got off to a fast start as it looked to rebound from a 4-0 defeat to Germany. Coach Pim Verbeek was heavily criticized for fielding a defensive lineup in that match and for not going with a recognized striker.
So Kewell’s red card against Ghana was a difficult blow because it dulled Australia’s dominance in the opening stages.
In the second half, Australia nearly scored when a cross was headed just over the net by substitute Scott Chipperfield, who has just come on. Seconds later, another Ghana attack almost resulted in a goal when a cross from the right was just missed by a sliding Gyan in front of goal.
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