20 Jun 2010

Uninspired Dutch do enough to beat Japan

5:40 am on 20 June 2010

The Netherlands are on the brink of reaching the second round of the football World Cup after beating Japan 1-0 in their pool match at Durban.

Wesley Sneijder was on target in the 53rd minute as his strike deceived Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, who misjudged the flight of the ball and could only deflect it into the back of the net.