Porto Alegre: Brazil 2014’s scintillating show of attacking football continued with the much fancied Netherlands defeating World Cup minnows Australia 3-2 in an incredible group match to virtually book a second round berth here on Wednesday.
The way the Netherlands overran Spain the other day, it looked like the Australians would be blown away by the Dutch in the first World Cup match between the two sides.
But the Group B match saw none of it and fortunes fluctuated between the two sides throughout the gripping 90 minutes with the Australians producing a gutsy performance.
Australia, the lowest FIFA ranking team among the 32 participants, refused to be cowed by the reputation of the Dutch, who were the last edition’s losing finalists and who had just ripped to shreds defending champions Spain 5-1.
Instead, the Socceroos held their own and at one stage took the lead around the hour mark.
With this loss, their second after the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Chile, Australia are now virtually out of the tournament. The Dutch, on the other hand, are virtually through to the round of 16.
Arjen Robben, who scored two goals against Spain and mesmerised the defending champions’ defence, put the Netherlands ahead in the 20th minute only to see parity restored by a stunning Tim Cahill goal in the next minute.
Australia took the lead in the 54th minute with captain Mile Jedinak converting from the spot after Daryl Janmaat handled the ball inside the box.
But within four minutes, Robin van Persie (58th) put the match on level terms with a left-footed finish after he was put in the clear by Robben inside the Australian box.
Second half substitute Memphis Depay then ended the Australians’ dreams by scoring the winner in the 68th minute.
There was nothing to separate the two sides at the end of the first half and they matched each other in every aspect, shot by shot and in ball possession.
It was again the indefatigable Robben who put the Dutch ahead in the 20th minute by tearing apart the Australian defence with his pacy run, just like he had done against the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique of Spain.
The 30-year-old Bayern Munich player outran two defenders after collecting the ball from the centre of the field before drilling a perfect left-footed grounder to the left of Maty Ryan.
Australia replied with a bang within less than a minute with veteran Cahill equalising with a spectacular left-footed volley which left Dutch keeper Jasper Cillessen without a chance.
The second half was even more fascinating with the two sides giving not any inch to each other.
Van Persie will miss the next group game against Chile after earning his second yellow in consecutive games, the same fate that befell Cahill, who will sit out the final game against Spain. (PTI)
