Rafael was Holland's best player against Paraguay

The Netherlands and Paraguay failed to entertain the fans in Heerenveen and had to settle for a scoreless draw. But Rafael Van der Vaart, bearing a good deal of Holland's attacking hopes, tried his best to instil some energy into the game. He came close to breaking the deadlock when he tested the Paraguayan keeper from the edge of the box. His shot deflected wide off the back of a defender though. Soon after Van der Vaart returned fire, this time forcing a smart save from Villar, who tipped his 27th-minute effort out of play for a corner.

Together with Eljero Elia Rafael continued to press the South American team, each striking from outside the area without luck. But the game was more a card game, than a football match at times, as the referee was busy handing out warnings.

Van der Vaart surely looked like the most likely source of a goal, and in the second half he had a chance to score his first goal since he scored against England this summer, but his header, from Afellay's fine cross, was well saved by a diving Villar, who denied the Real Madrid playmaker. Debutant Otman Bakkal replaced Van der Vaart after 84.min.

The game ended 0-0, but even though Rafael didn't score, he surely showed his good shape and eager to be a part of the squad in South Africa.