FRANKFURT, June 21 -- The Netherlands and Argentina, the two football giants
advanced into the knockout stage of the World Cup after a scoreless draw,
together with Portugal and Mexico, while Cote d'Ivoire, Angola, Iran, and Serbia
and Montenegro were eliminated with pride on Wednesday. (More highlights, pictures and stories )
Netherlands' Tim de
Cler (L) battles for the ball with Argentina's Carlos Tevez during their
Group C World Cup 2006 soccer match in Frankfurt June 21, 2006.
[Reuters] |
There were glimpses of brilliance from both sides but the Netherlands and
Argentina seemed content to see the match out for the draw, having already
qualified for the last 16 after winning their opening two games in the group.
With the last attack of the night, Carlos Tevez got the best chance for
Argentina in the injury time when he stabbed the ball to the goal after a group
of dazzling steps past the Dutch defence, but it missed the target.
"We didn't play the kind of football that we like to play, but we were facing
a very strong team," Argentina coach Perkman said.
Dominating the midfield from the very beginning, the Argentines seemingly
found their scintillating form in a 6-0 win over Serbia and Montenegro last
Friday.
Argentina almost broke the tie in the 29th minute when Maxi Rodriguez hit the
ball into the goal from Riquelme's corner. It shaved the post and all he could
do is put his head in his hands in exasperation.
The Netherlands showed their skill in the 16th minute when Dirk Kuyt slammed
towards the target with a belting strike, but only to witness the ball being
denied by a fantastic saving from Argentina goalkeeper Abondanzieri Roberto.
Phillip Cocu has a shot after Rafael van der Vaart took a tumble under the
advances of Fabricio Coloccini in the Argentine penalty area in the 66th minute,
but it missed the target.
"I'm not satisfied, we wanted to win the group but I think Argentina made it
difficult for us," goalkeeper van der Sar said.
Even at the last moment, the Netherlands did not give up their desire of
attacking when van der Vart crossed hoping for a last-ditch goal.
"In the second half we became a bit more dominant. Our organisation was good
and, if we can bring a bit more footballing quality, it may be time for us to
start winning," Dutch coach Marco van Basten said.
Knowing they had been already eliminated from the tournament, the four teams
fought for nothing, but their pride tonight.
Striker Aruna Dindane scored two and Bonaventure Kalou added the winner as
Cote d'Ivoire fought back from two goals down to beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-2,
while World Cup debutants Angola were held a 1-1 tie by Iran in their last Group
D match in Leipzig.
Cote d'Ivoire's strike Dindane, who plays with French side Lens, had already
pulled 2-1 through a penalty kick in the 35th minute after the European rivals
took a 2-0 lead early in the first half.
Midfielder Kader Keita stabbed a cross into the area and Dindane, 26, headed
in the equalizer. He darted to the corner flag to celebrate scoring his second
goal.
Dindane should have scored the World Cup's first hat-trick in the 86th
minute, when the African side earned a second penalty kick as Arthur Boka's
corner and his volley was blocked by the hand of Milan Dudic -- the man who gave
away the penalty for the first goal.
The match was played in heavy rain and Cote d'Ivoire, who lost their first
two games by identical scores of 2-1, took control but it was their European
rivals who scored the first.
Iran's coach Branko Ivankovic from Croatia was disappointed not to win. He
insisted his players deserved to exit the World Cup with a victory.
