World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group B » Live commentary: Australia - Netherlands 2:3

Fulltime Summary:
At the end the Netherlands can win their second match, too, but in contrast to their 5-1 victory over Spain they didn't make a convincing impression. After a rather calm beginning the Dutch took the lead after a counterattack in the 20th minute, but immediately conceded the beautifully finished equalizer by Cahill. In the following the Socceroos more and more took over control while the Elftal weren't able to get in front of the goal for quite some time. Therefore the 1-1 was pretty well-earned at half-time. After play resumed, Oranje tried to be more dominant and create chances, but it was Australia taking the lead with a penalty! However, the equalizer followed quickly, this time the Flying Dutchmen scored after Davidson played a horrible pass in his own penalty area. Still, van Gaal's team didn't manage to fully control the game. Australia could've almost scored the 3-2, but instead it was Holland scoring with the subsequent counterattack. Like the 2-2, This goal was also benefited by an error: Goalie Ryan wasn't able to save a surely parriable shot from Depay. Finally, for the remaining 20 minutes the Netherlands increased pressure and didn't let their opposition become dangerous again.

Again and again play is interrupted because of several fouls in midfield. All of them are not that awful, but the clock's ticking! Australia are trying to pressure the Dutch, but they can't manage to do so.

The game is in a quite calm stage right now, the ball mostly circles around the halfway line.

From time to time the Socceroos try to get into the opposition's box again, but it seems like they are getting tires. Can they equalize again?

Postecoglou takes his third substitution and replaced Oar with Taggart, who's the top goal scorer of the Australian A-League.

Holland are increasing pressure! They can stick to the Australian box and keep the Socceroos busy. Sneijer has an attempt from about 15 metres distance, but it's blocked.

Goooal for Netherlands, 2:3 by Memphis Depay
Oranje score directly with their next attack! Just after Leckie's chance, the Elftal is looking to get forward with Depay holding the ball in front of the box. The substitute isn't properly challenged and therefore can make a few steps towards the goal. He finishes with a knuckle shot from about 17 metres and Ryan can't make a save! The ball bounces into the goal from his fists, that's a really an awful error by the keeper!

Ouch! Van Persia should be careful since he's already booked! Lucky for him, his hard challenge on Jedinak isn't penalized with a second yellow card.

The game is becoming kind of wild since the 2-2, the ball is literally going back and forth.

What now? Will the Socceroos take over control or can the Dutch score the equalizer?

That's a doubtful penalty! Some refs would give it, other may not. Bozanic goes onto the left side of the box and wants to cross, though Blind is standing right in front of him and therefore the Australian virtually has no chance of getting through. Of course the ball touches the defender's hand, because of that the penalty is given. But the Dutchmman at least tries to pull it onto his body so that he won't have an advantage.

What a great shot! Sneijer has an attempt onto the higher left corner of the goal, but Ryan can parry the effort from about 18 metres. The following corner-kick comes to nothing though.

Tim Cahill (Australia) is shown a yellow card
Cahill is penalised for a n awful challenge against Martins Indi. The Australian forward rushes into the defender and the Dutchmen needs medical attendance. He will be suspended for the third game since this is already his second booking in the tournament.

Apparently, the Netherlands are playing with four defenders now. Blind shifts forward and is acting as defensive midfielder.

Is this maybe part of van Gaal's tactics? Australia are starting to have even more possession than the Netherlands, at least for a few minutes. Maybe the future Manchester United manager wants to make Australia feel save, just to surprise them with a quick counterattack?

That could've been a nice chance! Robben passes to Blind who wants to serve van Persie from the left border of the box. But his pass is blocked.

Wow, what an instant comeback from Australia, that's pretty impressive! They managed to score despite having no chances so far. Oranje look a little bit shocked for a moment but quickly get a grip of the game again.

Goooal for Netherlands, 0:1 by Arjen Robben
It looks so easy when they score goals like this! Robben picks up the ball at the halfway line and suddenly dashes forward like a bat out of hell! No one is able to catch up with the 30-year-old, so Robben runs into the box from the left and finishes from about twelfe metres with a low shot into the right corner of the goal!

Oar makes the corner kick but it comes to nothing since Cahill commits a foul against Martins Indi.

The Aussies' passes just aren't precise enough! Several times they try to get the ball to their wingers, but every time it goes out of play.

Robben almost gets his first chance! The left-footed striker dashes forward after de Jong wins the ball from McKay and passes it onto the right wing. But the 30-year-old Dutchman can't get pass the Autralian defense.

After an illegal challenge from de Jong againt Oar the Australians have free-kick from about 25 metres distance. However, Špiranović's cross is an easy catch for Cilessen.

Of course one shouldn't confuse having five titular defenders on the pitch with playing defensively. Quite the contrary it's a 3-5-2 in disguise, if you will. Both fullbacks (Blind and Janmaat) could also be considered as left midfielder and right midfielder. So actually it's a quite flexible arrangement.

Holland's skipper Robin van Persie said he has "[...]seen the spectacular footage and images from the celebrations across the world and that makes [him] so proud." The striker also added that his team might have to try a different approach in the upcoming game: "Now the focus is on Australia and I think that will be completely different to the game against Spain. Australia have a very different style and I think we are going to have to adjust our own game to beat them."

However, Australia changed their team on two positions: Obviously Franjic must be replaced, but Postecoglou also had to take out Mark Milligan due to a minor hamstring injury. Ryan McGowan and Matt McKay will be in the starting line-up instead.

After the Elftal celebrated their big victory against Spain, team manager Louis van Gaal tried to bring everyone back down to earth: "This is just the first step. We have to keep our feet on the ground, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. We need to prove our capability to win over Australia, which would be that easy. I felt the team reacted very well, especially the older players. The more seasoned players know what is going on and they immediately warned the team this was simply one victory and that we haven't earned anything."

In their first match, the Socceroos lost 1-3 against Chile and now they have to play against the Dutch, who crushed Spain with an outstanding 5-1 win. Since Australia only has these two games against the world champion and the runner-up left, their chances of proceeding to the next round seem to be quite low.