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 Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder (L) passes the ball beside Japan's Yuji Nakazawa during their 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 19, 2010. [Agencies] |
Sneijder's 53rd-minute strike finally broke down Japan's stubborn resistance, which had stifled Dutch creativity for much of the match.
It was the Inter Milan playmaker's 15th goal in 63 internationals.
The Netherlands, however, again failed to live up to its billing as one of the most fluent attacking teams of the tournament. The team struggled to a 2-0 victory over Denmark in its first Group E match, while Japan had a 1-0 victory over Cameroon.
Before Sneijder's goal, Van Persie missed chances for the Dutch in front of 62,010 fans at Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Japan responded to the goal by pushing forward and Yoshito Okubo had two shots in quick succession, the first saved by Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and the second went over the bar.
Substitute Ibrahim Afellay came close to doubling the Dutch lead in the 84th and again in the 88th when he 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 when substitute Shinji Okazaki latched onto a deep cross at the far post and shot just over the bar.
The Netherlands reached the World Cup final in 1974 and 1978, but lost both times. 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 record of 10 straight victories for the Netherlands in World Cup qualifiers and final tournament matches, including eight before the two in South Africa.
It also extended the Dutch record of never losing to an Asian team. It has now won eight matches and drawn one against Asian opponents.
