In the first half of their 1-0 victory over Japan in Group E, defensive midfield duo Mark van Bommel and Nigel de Jong failed to find any gaps in the tight Japanese defence.
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk then ordered the pair to move closer to the forwards and that change in approach helped make the difference in the second period.
"We did not have enough depth in our passing game before the break and therefore (Wesley) Sneijder and (Robin) van Persie both had to drop back to the midfield to pick up the ball," De Jong told reporters at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
"It was hard to reach them as the Japanese shielded them well, but we managed to change that in the second half.
Van Bommel added: "In the second half we really played to win with Nigel and I closer to our strikers."
"From that moment we never had the feeling on the pitch that it could go wrong and I think we came closer to a second goal than Japan (did) to an equaliser," De Jong added.
"So far everyone is adjusting their game to us and that is something we force (them to do)," Van Bommel told reporters.
"We again proved to be a balanced team, just like against the Danes, although we still didn't show our best football."
