Holland Punish Italy
Italian Pride has been Dented after a Magnificent Dutch Performance
There have been high hopes for the first round match between 2006 world cup winners Italy and a strong Dutch side and the second game in the "Group of Death" didn't disappoint. A lively crowd, with a large sea of bright orange supporters, made an exciting carnival atmosphere in the Stade de Suisse.
Both teams played some outstanding football and they could both go all the way in the tournament, but it was a Dutch evening after an unprecedented result saw them defeat Italy, a team they havn't beaten for over 30 years, by three goals to nil.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneidjer and Giovanni van Bronkhorst all helped to seal the Dutch victory.
Both teams began the evening with positive football and the Italians started the attack early with a cross from Antonio di Natale that flew slightly too far forward to find the head of Luca Toni at 6 yards out.
On the 17th minute, there was a moment of danger for the Azzurri as Van Nistelrooy latched onto a through ball from`Dirk Kuyt, before Italian keeper Buffon distracted him wide enough to miss the open net.
But on the 26th minute Van Nistelrooy scored a controversial goal that will be talked about long after the tournament is over. A free kick from Van der Vaart was punched away by Buffon toward Giovanni van Bronkhorst who then shot a ball that was redirected by Van Nistelrooy into the goal from 4 yards out. Italian fans were furious, as were the players and a particularly angry Toni got booked for dissent. The Real Madrid striker himself paused before celebrating his opening goal, unsure if he was onside.
Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt and the other officials maintain that the goal was fair as there is a clause that was inserted into the UEFA offside rules in 2003 that advises a ref. that a player who leaves the pitch without permission and does not immediately return must be taken into account when determining offside.
Many players themselves are not familiar with the rule but it has been certified by UEFA general secretary David Taylor, who said that, "The goal was correctly awarded".
Seconds after the first goal, the Italians had a chance to equalise from an Andrea Pirlo corner, but the ball was cleared from the line by Van Bronkhorst.
The Dutch defender showed his presence again in the 31st minute after he cleared and sprinted down the left to receive a ball from Van der Vaart, to then send a long cross-field ball to Kuyt's head. Kuyt passed to Sneijder who executed a fantastic goal past Buffon.
HALF TIME:
Holland 2 - 0 Italy
Italy didn't seem too disheartened after the break and played hard. But after Toni missed an important opportunity, chipping the ball over the bar from a clear shot at goal in the 75th, it was clear which team was controlling the evening.
Van der Sar made two huge saves in the 78th: a powerful shot from Grosso was tipped over the bar before the Dutch keeper flicked away a free kick from Pirlo that looked certain to find its target.
Only a minute later, while Italy must still have been wondering how Pirlo's shot didn't go in, Holland pulled a counter attack that lead to Van Bronckhorst cementing victory with a deflected header.
An outstanding first day for Holland has shown the quality they are able to produce.
TEAMS:
Holland:
Van der Sar, Ooijer, Boulahrouz (Heitinga 77), Mathijsen, Van Bronkhorst, Kuyt (Afellay) 81, De Jong, Van der Vaart, Engelaar, Sneijder, Van Nistelrooy ( Van Persie 70)
Italy:
Buffon, Panucci, Barzagli, Materazzi (Grosso 55), Zambrotta, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Gattuso, Camoranesi (Cassano 75), Toni, Di Natale (Del Piero 64)
