The Dutch are through to the second round! (tag)

What a relief! After 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan, I couldn't take another disappointment. I am totally ecstatic to know the Dutch have secured a place in the second round.

When van Persie and van Nistelrooij scored a goal each under five minutes apart, I thought the Dutch were going to answer Argentina. However, that was hardly the case. Ivory Coast was not Serbia and Montenegro and the African nation was no pushover. In fact, in the second half, Drogba and gangs pushed forward so hard that it was the Dutch that were being bullied instead of the other round.

The final minutes were hectic. If I counted correctly, in the space of five minutes, Ivory Coast had three corners and all the Dutch could do was defend, defend and defend. If Ivory Coast had a little bit more luck, the game would have seen a draw instead of a winner. However, like what Obi-Wan Kenobi said in Star Wars: Episode IV, there's no such thing as luck.

Hah!

In the previous Dutch match, Arjen Robben was my man of the match. For this match, it's Robin van Persie. Reason - he scored and he saved. But I know. I know. Both of them, both men of the matches are products of Eindhoven and Rotterdam respectively. Still, don't worry. There's a long way to go and someone from Amsterdam will be there sooner or later.

Anyway, the Netherlands' opponent for the second round will be somebody from Group D. The most likely teams are Mexico and Portugal. I'm not sure which team would be easier for the Dutch but one thing for sure - I will watch both the Mexican and the Portuguese matches with great interest.