Reliant Robben powers Dutch win

Arjen Robben was at his bewildering best, powering the Netherlands to a 1-0 victory in their FIFA World Cup opener as Serbia and Montenegro wilted in sweltering heat in Leipzig.

Wide threat
Robben scored the only goal of the game on 18 minutes, latching on to an exquisite through-ball from Robin van Persie and calmly slotting in. It was just reward for an excellent performance by the Chelsea FC winger who, with the right-sided Van Persie, tormented a Serbo-Montenegrin back line missing the suspended Nemanja Vidić, although substitute Ognjen Koroman also posed questions at the other end.

Jevrić tested
Koroman was introduced before half-time as Ilija Petković searched for respite having being placed on the back foot for much of the first half. Robben was the architect of much of the pressure and had provided an early indication of what was to come when his first-minute header forced Dragoslav Jevrić into immediate action. The goalkeeper could do nothing on 17 minutes but produced a fine reaction save from the marauding winger to keep his side in the game soon after.

Koroman presence
Serbia and Montenegro's attackers also had bright moments, with captain Savo Milosević proving a thorny presence and he should have done better when he barged into the penalty area on 14 minutes before firing tamely at Edwin van der Sar. Koroman whipped a shot just past the near post on the cusp of half-time and forced a strong save midway through the second half but chances were at a premium and the Dutch held on to open their Group C account.