In their first game of the World tournament in South Africa, the Dutch team won the first game (2-0) against Denmark with a little help from good fortune.

The first half of the game the play was not good. The Danish defenders were effective in neutralising the Dutch forwards.  At the start of the second half the Danes scored in their own goal.

This gave the Dutch play some air. After substituting Elia and Afellay, the game got better, which was rewarded with a goal by Dirk Kuit.