Dutch and go

Instead of using the counterattack as it promised, Serbia-Montenegro was caught by it instead. In the 18th minute, Mark van Bommel fed the ball to Robin van Persie and the winger delicately lobbed it over the defense toward Robben.

No one could match Robben8217;s pace and despite some desperate tugging at his shirt, he coolly slipped the ball under Serbia goalkeeper Dragoslav Jevric.

8220;This is a very important victory,8221; Netherlands midfielder Phillip Cocu said. 8220;Especially since the Argentines won too.8221; The South Americans beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Saturday.

It was a bitter blow to Serbia, which had dominated the opening spell, but badly neglected its vaunted defense.

8220;We make one mistake and we are punished for it,8221; Serbia-Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic said.

The Netherlands kept its attack open through its wingers and quickly regrouped once the Serbs had the ball.

Serbia-Montenegro picked a very defensive lineup and had to switch tactics early on. In the end, it failed to match the individual class of the Dutch forward line.

It was no surprise that Robben was voted man of the match.

The Dutch defense, often considered the weak link in the lineup, held together until the end under the leadership of Andre Ooijer and Joris Mathijsen. Even though Serbia-Montenegro pushed until the end, it failed to get the goal it wanted.

It next faces Argentina while the Netherlands plays Ivory Coast on Friday.

The Serbs pushed in the second half, but little came from it. Even free kick specialist Dejan Stankovic was off target, as the Inter Milan midfielder proved when he sent one far over from outside the box in the 65th minute.

RAF CASERT