Wesley Sneijder's second-half goal handed Holland a 1-0 win over Japan in their second Group E match and put the Oranje within reach of the last 16 of the World Cup after taking maximum points from their opening two games.

Following a frustrating opening half, Bert van Marwijk's side finally broke through in the 52nd minute with Sneijder's stinging drive deflected into the net by Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.

Japan had the best chance to level the score one minute from time but an unmarked substitute Shinji Okazaki fired over the bar from just 10 yards as Holland held on for victory.