Open Writing

The inventors of Total Football won every group game and eased past Slovakia into the quarter finals and they still face complaints from the fans back at home that they aren't playing attractively enough.

The Netherlands play the popular 4-2-3-1 system and the team against Slovakia comprised two central midfielders who could tackle in Nigel De Jong and Mark van Bommel allowing playmaker Wesley Sneijder to join Robin Van Persie in an attack supported by Arjen Robben and Dirk Kuyt on the wings.

While Robben has undoubted pace, flair and penetration, Kuyt could hardly be described as a pacy wingman and doesn't get exactly get involved in the race for the Premiership Golden Boot at Liverpool. Both are game changers, however, with Kuyt noted for his tireless running and reliability from his wide roles while at Liverpool.

Van Persie is over 6' tall but he has a good turn of pace and plenty of skill, proving a genuine goal threat while Wesley Sneijder provides that chance of killer pass and the surprise ball to unlock enemy defences.

It was this team that won the game for the Netherlands. An 18th minute goal for Robben proved he had returned form injury at the top of his game and settled Dutch nerves in a poor first half. He received a long pass from Wesley Sneijder, made space for himself and unleashed a brilliant shot into the bottom corner to deservedly open the scoring.

Slovakia offered little in return except for a brief spell where Stoch and Vittek could have equalised for Slovakia in the second half but the Dutch finally made the game safe 6 minutes from time before Wesley Sneijder made it 2-0.

Robert Vittek scored his 4th goal of the tournament with a penalty as the last kick of the game to give the scoreline some respectability but the Netherlands had done just enough to comfortably stay in the competition.