Netherlands 1-0 Japan

Netherlands and Japan both failed to impress in the first-half, with neither side able to break the deadlock, until the Dutch took the lead shortly after the interval and held on to go top of Group E.

The Oranje have now collected six points from their two games and are sitting in pole position to qualify for the next round.

Japan have three points from two matches and need a result in their final group game if they are to survive the first round stage.

Oranje started the match the better side and got their first chance after eight minutes. The referee had no choice but to award the Dutch a free-kick in a dangerous position after a foul on Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. Wesley Sneijder stepped up to take it, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Dirk Kuyt then tried his luck with an acrobatic bicycle kick after a cross from the left, but his attempt was blocked by the Japanese defence before being hacked to safety.

The Asians then made a foray into Dutch territory in the 15th minute. Defender Yuji Nakazawa created some space down the left and tried his luck from 25-yards, only to see his shot bounce wide of the far post.

Holland struggled to break through the Japanese defence, but full-back Gregory van der Wiel still managed to get a shot in halfway through the first-half. His attempt was eventually blocked though and led to nothing.

Japan won a free-kick deep in Dutch territory around the half-hour mark and Yasuhito Endo sent in a good cross for Keisuke Honda. The attacking midfielder put his free header way over the bar though.

Another free-kick from Endo minutes later led to a chance for Tulio, but the powerful centre-back aimed wide and the chance went begging.

Daisuke Matsui unleashed a shot from the edge of the box only moments later, but Dutch gloveman Maarten Stekelenburg collected the shot with ease.

The Japanese shot-stopper was called into action for the first time only seconds before the half-time whistle went. Rafael van der Vaart opted to test the Asian goalie with a long range strike, but his shot was to weak to trouble Seigo Narazaki.

Netherlands started the second half with attacking intent and created a good chance only one minute after the interval. Mark van Bommel found Van Persie with a lovely pass, but the Arsenal star failed to get his volley on target.

The Dutch did open the score after 53 minutes of play though. The Japanese defence failed to clear the ball and Sneijder fired home a loose ball from the edge of the area, although the 'keeper should have done better.

Japan were clearly not giving up after the opener and Yoshito Okubo almost restored parity. However, his low shot went only inches wide of the Dutch goal.

Okobu found Yuichi Komano streaking up the right flank in the 70th minute and his low cross caused the Dutch defence all kinds of trouble. Van der Wiel intercepted the cross though before Honda could make contact.

Oranje got a chance to hit Japan on the counter-attack after Nakamura gave the ball away cheaply. Holland attacked in numbers but Van Bommel's pass to Van Persie was poor and it led to nothing.

Holland missed a golden opportunity to put the match to bed five minutes before the final whistle. Afellay went one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a superb pass, but the PSV star was denied by an excellent save from Narazaki.

Again Afellay got a huge chance only minutes later after a brilliant through pass from Huntelaar. However, the versatile midfielder's finish was again under-par and the Japan gloveman saved his shot.

Japan nearly equalised in the dying seconds of the game, as Okazaki pounced on a loose ball inside the Dutch penalty area. He sent his shot just over the bar from a very dangerous position though.