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Match that will determine only one thing for both teams - who will take the first and who will take the second place in the group. The Dutch have a pretty solid defense, which unlike the Serbs, has not leaked so far. Probably the most interesting match of this group.
Netherlands - Argentina Time: 22:00 (Lithuanian time) Location: Frankfurt Referee: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain) (Live broadcast on LTV)
Predictions After victory over Ivory Coast, the Dutch have not lost in 14 consecutive official matches of any championship or qualifiers. This is currently the longest series in the world. Until the match with the Africans, the team did not concede a single goal in over ten official matches. This is an all-time European record. On the other hand, the Argentinians have one of the strongest attacking lines in this championship. In two matches, the team has already scored 8 goals.
In the event of a draw in this match, the first place in the group would be taken by the Argentinians due to a better goal difference, so the Dutch, if they want to be first, need a victory.
In the round of 16, these teams will play against teams from Group D. It will most likely be Portugal and Mexico, but Angola has not lost their chances either.
Lineups Due to yellow cards, the Dutch will not see Giovanni van Bronckhorst today, with Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel, and Joris Mathijsen each having one yellow card, M. van Basten will probably not risk and they will likely be allowed to rest.
On the other hand, despite a minor calf injury, Phillip Cocu should start the match from the beginning.
Argentina also has some losses. Luis Gonzalez will miss the match due to a strained groin, meanwhile the coaches should also allow one of the main defenders, Juan Roman Riquelme, to rest. Because of yellow cards, we probably won't see Gabriel Heinze and Hernan Crespo either.
Head-to-head matches Both of these teams have played against each other 7 times before. The Dutch celebrated victory four times, Argentina won once, and two matches ended in a draw.
Second Matches Netherlands 2 - 1 Ivory Coast The Dutch won the second match with a minimal advantage - they previously won by a minimal score of 1 - 0 against the Serbian eleven.
"We started very well, but it was difficult to play later. In the second half, we could only defend," said Dutch head coach Marco van Basten. "It was a very tough match because Ivory Coast has a good team. I must compliment my players, as they fought until the end."
"We worked hard. Sometimes we played well. We must be proud to have reached the round of 16," said Robin van Persie. However, team midfielder Mark van Bommel looks very critically at the victory that opened the doors to the next stage: "While we were leading 2-0, we played well. But then we lost everything and everywhere. We played poorly, but we need to learn from that. Ivory Coast is a strong opponent. They are always dangerous."
Argentina 6 - 0 Serbia and Montenegro Much different moods were after the second match for the Argentina team, which did not give any chances to the Serbians, defeating them by even 6-0.
"We played great. Now we have a challenge - to maintain such a game," said Hernan Crespo. "I am proud to have played in those great matches, but I feel that it will be extremely difficult to maintain that level of play."
"We cannot give our opponents confidence in their abilities, we cannot let them believe that they can win. In the next matches, we have to play similarly."
Thoughts before the match Netherlands Talking about the upcoming match, national team head coach Marco van Basten is quite cautious. "In this championship, we will go step by step, gradually. We will see how the match with Argentina unfolds."
Meanwhile, after the match with the Africans, lacking self-criticism, Marco van Bommel says that in these matches it is important not to make the same mistakes as in the previous matches.
Argentina H. Crespo: "We must play like we did against the Serbians. Although it will be extremely difficult to do so. Every team in this championship has their moments. There has not been a team in these competitions that can maintain the same level for the full 90 minutes in both matches. I liked the Italians in the first matches, but in the second they played poorly. The English had some good moments in both matches, but as a team they look poor."
Maxi Rodriguez: "It was an incredible game. But we must focus on the next matches and win them too, to be first in the group."
Predicted Lineups Netherlands: Van der Sar, Kromkamp, Ooijer, Jaliens, De Cler, Landzaat, Sneijder, Cocu, Kuyt, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. Argentina: Abbondanzieri, Burdisso, Ayala, Milito, Sorin, Rodriguez, Coloccini, Cambiasso, Aimar, Tevez, Cruz.
