Arjen Robben produced a masterclass for Holland as they managed to do just enough to beat Serbia & Montenegro 1-0 yesterday in Leipzig.
Chelsea winger Robben scored the only goal after 18 minutes, sliding the ball under Dragoslav Jevric following a flick-on from Robin van Persie.
With Robben always probing and Wesley Sneijder running the show in midfield, the Dutch were coasting at half-time.
And despite a more upbeat display from Serbia & Montenegro after the break, Holland were good value for their win.
"I'm happy with the way I played," said Robben. "I can play even better but, especially in the second half, it was so hot. The important thing is the three points."
Holland coach Marco van Basten is relieved to go into the second match on the back of a victory.
"It was not easy but the most important thing was to start with a win," he said.
"Robben's strike gave us breathing space although afterwards we still had a few good chances.
"He was very dangerous throughout the whole game. He was very difficult to defend and I was lucky he was on our side."
The match against the Ivory Coast takes place in the early evening, which should suit the Dutch.
"It seemed like we were playing football in the Sahara," said Robben after the opening win.
"It was suffocating on the field. So we had to choose our moments and sometimes take a rest and let the ball do the work."
Robben played down comments from Serbia coach Ilija Petkovic, predicting he will be one of the players of the tournament.
"It's nice to hear, it's a good compliment but it's no more pressure than normal on me," he said.
"I want to do well for the team but for me it's not important for me or anyone else to be regarded as the player of the tournament. I would prefer to win the Cup."
Chelsea winger Robben scored the only goal after 18 minutes, sliding the ball under Dragoslav Jevric following a flick-on from Robin van Persie.
With Robben always probing and Wesley Sneijder running the show in midfield, the Dutch were coasting at half-time.
And despite a more upbeat display from Serbia & Montenegro after the break, Holland were good value for their win.
"I'm happy with the way I played," said Robben. "I can play even better but, especially in the second half, it was so hot. The important thing is the three points."
Holland coach Marco van Basten is relieved to go into the second match on the back of a victory.
"It was not easy but the most important thing was to start with a win," he said.
"Robben's strike gave us breathing space although afterwards we still had a few good chances.
"He was very dangerous throughout the whole game. He was very difficult to defend and I was lucky he was on our side."
The match against the Ivory Coast takes place in the early evening, which should suit the Dutch.
"It seemed like we were playing football in the Sahara," said Robben after the opening win.
"It was suffocating on the field. So we had to choose our moments and sometimes take a rest and let the ball do the work."
Robben played down comments from Serbia coach Ilija Petkovic, predicting he will be one of the players of the tournament.
"It's nice to hear, it's a good compliment but it's no more pressure than normal on me," he said.
"I want to do well for the team but for me it's not important for me or anyone else to be regarded as the player of the tournament. I would prefer to win the Cup."
