In-form Dutch wary of Slovakia test

With a 100 per cent record, the Netherlands are one of the World Cup's form teams but coach Bert van Marwijk says they were sloppy at times against Cameroon and must do better when facing Slovakia.

The Dutch only needed a point to secure top spot in Group E against the already-eliminated Cameroon but took all three with goals from Robin van Persie and substitute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar cancelling out a Samuel Eto'o penalty.

It sets them up with a clash against Group F runners-up Slovakia, who stunned defending champions Italy 3-2, in Durban for a place in the quarter-finals.

Van Marwijk said he wasn't surprised the unfancied Slovaks sent Italy out of the tournament and admitted the Oranje face a major test.

"In qualification for the World Cup, they impressed me," he said.

"I can't predict things but I said before the match that it wouldn't surprise me if Italy were beaten by Slovakia. This is an opponent we must not underestimate.

"We cannot be nonchalant."

Arsenal striker Van Persie, the man-of-the-match, is also wary of the World Cup debutants.

"So far, it's looking good, but we can still improve on bits and pieces," he said.

"Slovakia will be tough. They showed really good spirit and hung in there against Italy and it was a great result for their country."

Although the Dutch have won three games out of three, Van Marwijk was not entirely happy with their performance.

"I felt we were less good than the first two matches. We were dealing with a team that was already out and it was all or nothing for them," he said.

"In the second half we started too loosely, too sloppily. I thought Cameroon might score and we might even lose. They did score and we were shaken awake and then we got the second goal.

"But that period of negligence we had, we cannot afford that again. Maybe it was because everyone was afraid of getting booked, perhaps you saw my boys being too careful.

"It's a bit of a lesson for the next match."

At least Holland didn't pick up any injuries, and they were also boosted by winger Arjen Robben making his South Africa World Cup bow as a late substitute after missing their opening two matches with a hamstring injury.