DURBAN, South Africa — Impressive as Arjen Robben and his Dutch teammates were in advancing to the World Cup quarterfinals, they seek much more.
The Netherlands reached the final eight yesterday when standouts Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half of a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
“We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through,” Robben said. “Probably the perfect game has still to come.”
The Dutch might need to approach perfection in their next match against five-time champion Brazil. For now, they can enjoy the rekindling of the crafty Dutch offense — and they can credit Robben, who made his first start of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The Oranje, who have never won soccer’s biggest prize, went ahead in the 18th minute when Robben cut inside from the right wing and found the net with a low, precise shot from 20 yards.
“It’s fantastic,” coach Bert van Marwijk said. “After such an injury that he has the touch to score a goal like that.”