NETHERLANDS 0-0 USA, Amsterdam 03/03/10
Kuyt (pen) 40, Huntelaar 73 (Netherlands), Bocanegra 89 (USA)

And the Dutch go marching on. This 2-1 victory saw the Netherlands retain their title in the first UFWC match of 2010. The Dutch led at halftime through a Dirk Kuyt penalty. Substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar added a second with just over quarter of an hour to go. Carlos Bocanegra scored a late consolation goal for the USA in the 89th minute.

The Netherlands now need just one more UFWC win to draw level with Russia in 4th place in the UFWC all-time rankings. They will have the opportunity to do that on 26 May, when they take on Mexico in Innsbruck. Like the Dutch, the Mexicans will be at the World Cup Finals in June, so whoever wins we will be one step closer to seeing the UFWC title competed for in South Africa.

Match Reports Netherlands, USA

NETHERLANDS 0-0 PARAGUAY, Heerenveen 18/11/09

Another 0-0 draw retained the UFWC title for the Netherlands in this friendly international.

Both sides were missing key players, and neither were able to create many goalscoring chances.

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk replaced the injured Arsenal forward Robin van Persie with PSV Eindhoven’s Ibrahim Afellay. Meanwhile, Paraguay were without Manchester City’s Roque Santa Cruz.

Chances for both sides were mostly limited to long range efforts, and the nearest anyone came to breaking the deadlock was in injury time when Dutch substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar forced a diving save from Justo Villar.

The match market the end of UFWC competition in 2009, and the Dutch will now take the title into 2010.

The next match pencilled in for the Dutch will see them take on the USA in Amsterdam in March.

Match Reports Netherlands, paraguay

ITALY 0-0 NETHERLANDS, Pescara, 14/11/09

Challengers Italy and continuing champions the Netherlands played out a goalless draw in Pescara tonight in a title match overshadowed by an apparently serious injury to Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

The Dutch were the better side in the first half, and Dirk Kuyt came closest to breaking the deadlock.

Italy improved in the second half, and Giampaulo Pazzini had the ball in the Dutch net, only to have the effort disallowed off for handball.

Van Persie had left the field within the first fifteen minutes, after falling awkwardly following a challenge with Giorgio Chiellini.

The draw means that the Dutch retain the UFWC title, and will defend it on Wednesday against Paraguay.

Match Reports Italy, Netherlands

AUSTRALIA 0-0 NETHERLANDS, Sydney, 10/10/09

Australia and the Netherlands played out a 0-0 draw, meaning that the Dutch retain the UFWC title.

In a game of few chances, the Netherlands came closest to breaking the deadlock, with star man Wesley Sneijder unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

Australia improved in the second half, but overall the match was as damp as the conditions it was played in, and the 40,537 spectators at the Sydney Football Stadium did not see a goal.

The Socceroos maintained their recent unbeaten record, but that wasn’t enough to dislodge the UFWC champions.

The next match will see the Netherlands take on FIFA World Champions Italy on 14 November.

Match Reports australia, Netherlands