Robin van Persie scored the only goal of the game as the Netherlands edged to a 1-0 win over Ghana in their World Cup warm-up match this evening.
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The goal came after just five minutes as Wesley Sneijder played a square ball across the face of goal for the Manchester United striker to tap into an empty net from close range.
Ghana almost hit back within six minutes, however, as Kwadwo Asamoah's delivery towards the back post was met by Jerry Akaminko, who nodded an effort narrowly wide.
It should have been 2-0 in the 12th minute as Arjen Robben found himself with arguably an even easier chance than Van Persie's, but the winger somehow scooped his effort over the bar from six yards out.
Robben had another chance to double Holland's lead midway through the first half as he once again picked up the ball inside the area, but this time he was denied by Adam Kwarasey.
The same duo came up against each other again on the stroke of half time, with the Ghana keeper coming out on top once more as he parried Robben's effort from outside the box.
The Bayern Munich man continued to threaten as he looked to make amends for his earlier miss, but once again he was off target as he fired a shot just over the top shortly after the restart.
Ron Vlaar was the next to come close for Holland, rising highest in the area only to put his header a few yards wide when he should have done better.
Robben was denied again before the final whistle as Holland picked up the win despite a number of wasted chances.
Barney Corkhill
