Dutch into last 16
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
ByEurosport
Published 16/06/2006 at 15:58 GMT
The Netherlands booked their place in the last sixteen with a hard fought 2-1 win over a spirited Ivory Coast side in Stuttgart on Friday. Robin van Persie got the Dutch off to a good start on 23 minutes with a superb free kick before Ruud van Nistelrooy
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Netherlands-Ivory Coast Galeríafotos2
Image credit: EFE
Bakary Kone gave the Africans hope with a stunning individual effort before the half was out, but ultimately, the Dutch were too strong, and they now join Argentina - who earlier crushed Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 - from Group C in the second round.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2006/06/16/288475-24356800-2560-1440.jpg)
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Netherlands-Ivory Coast Ruud van Nistelrooy Galeríafotos2
Image credit: EFE
Marco van Basten's young side looked imperious in the first half, playing some lovely football on the way to their two goal lead, but Kone's effort meant the Dutch side had to work hard all the way to the end to seal their progress from the group stages.
The only issue left to settle in Group C now is who will finish as winner. And that matter will be settled on June 21 as Argentina meet the Dutch in Frankfurt.
VAN IS THE MAN
Van Persie - who was a threat throughout the game - opened the scoring after a his Arsenal team-mate Kolo Toure brought his run to an end with a clumsy challenge on the edge of the penalty area.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2006/06/16/288465-24356856-2560-1440.jpg)
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Netherlands Netherlands-Ivory Coast
Image credit: Reuters
Van Persie got back up and stepped up himself to slam the resulting free kick past both a large, but ineffectual, wall and goalkeeper Jean-Jacques Tizie to send the orange masses in the stands into delirium.
"We worked hard. We played well at times, we should be proud that we reached the next round," said Van Persie.
"My goal was fantastic for us all."
Arjen Robben, on the opposite wing to van Persie, was also on his best form as he unmercifully terrorised the African defence throughout the first half, and the second Dutch goal resulted from his teasing burst down the left hand side.
The Chelsea winger cut inside, receiving a return pass from van Bommel, before slipping van Nistelrooy in to finish with typical coolness over the advancing Tizie.
FIGHT BACK
The goal seemed to signal the end for the Ivorians, but they made more than a game of it after Kone crashed home a long distance effort into the top corner past the flailing arms of Edwin van der Sar in the Dutch goal.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2006/06/16/288464-24356863-2560-1440.jpg)
FOOTBALL 2006 World Cup Netherlands Netherlands-Ivory Coast van Nistelrooy Robben
Image credit: Reuters
Kone's effort was the first time the Dutch national side had conceded a goal in an incredible eleven games, although that record could easily has tumbled moments before Kone pulled one back.
Then, it was Saint Etienne player Didier Zokora who let fly with a unstoppable shot which had van der Sar beaten all ends up, only to see his effort crash back of the cross bar and back out to safety.
The second half brought little in entertainment, although the Ivorians nearly completed an improbable comeback when van Persie was forced into action at the other end of the field, chesting the ball off the line after the otherwise ineffectual Didier Drogba had headed goalwards.
"We started very well in the first half, after that it became difficult. In the second half we could only defend ourselves," Dutch coach Marco van Basten said.
"We'll take it step by step, we'll see how it goes against Argentina," he added.
Men of the match: the Dutch wing men, Robben and van Persie - they both put their personal feud behind them to terrorise the Ivorian full backs.
Stat attack: double Dutch!
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement