Dutch savour victorious start

Goals from Ibrahim Afellay and Ryan Babel gave FIFA World Youth Championship hosts the Netherlands a perfect start to their Group A campaign, helping the side to a 2-1 victory against Japan on the opening day of the 2005 event.

Afellay opener
An expectant capacity crowd had gathered at the Parkstad Limburg in Kerkrade and they were not disappointed as the Netherlands quickly opened up a two-goal lead. PSV Eindhoven midfield player Afellay broke the deadlock after just seven minutes, tapping in after a terrific link-up between Arsenal FC's Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Babel.

Owusu-Abeyie assists
The pair combined again for the second goal on 18 minutes, with the excellent Owusu-Abeyie capping a powerful run with a pinpoint cross for Babel to score from close range. The hosts, and Owusu-Abeyie in particular, continued to dominate but with less than 15 minutes remaining, Japan reduced the deficit through a Sota Hirayama header.

Group lead
The Asian side could not find an equaliser, though, and the Netherlands held on for a morale-boosting win. The result is enough to put the hosts on top of the section after the game between Australia and Benin ended 1-1, Australia's lone striker Nick Ward cancelling Razak Omotoyossi's early opener just before the hour mark. Australia now face the Dutch on Wednesday, following the match between Benin and Japan.