One of the most anticipated matches in the World Cup Group stages ended in a 0-0 draw as Argentina met in the battle of Group C.
The result means that with neither side losing the superior goal difference of Argentina allows them to qualify first and go on to face Mexico but for Holland their second round game will be a repeat of the Euro 2004 Semi Finals with Portugal.
The game allowed both sides to change their starting line ups some what and gave members of both sides a chance to show what they could do if selected to start their second round games.
Holland rested Robben who was dangerously poised to miss the knock out stages after his yellow card against the Ivory Coast and they also completely changed their defense for this their third game of the group.
Argentina started with live wires Messi and Tevez upfront as well as giving chances to Cufre, Milito and Burdisso in defense.
The game was very much a chess match with both sides careful not to expend too much energy and give away their game plan early. The draw was a good result for both sides as neither would have wanted to break up the confidence or rhythm they had built up in Germany so far.
Despite changes to their line up, Argentina’s play still flowed through Juan Riquelme and their short passing was a delight to behold in the early stages. With the pace and mobility of Tevez and Messi it was possible to see how Argentina are being taken seriously to win the World Cup.
Tevez was the first to tease the Dutch defense with a winding run though his shot was just off target it gave Holland something to be wary of in the latter stages. Messi also fired a shot in during the early period of the game but a deflection took most of the pace off and Van Der Saar was able to gather comfortably.
A mistake in the Argentinean defense by experienced captain Ayala was enough to give Holland their first chance of the game.
Robbed off the ball by Kuyt, Ayala was taken out of the play as the Feyenord man played his shot just too close to the keeper from a tight angle. With options in the box Kuyt made a strikers decision to shoot and test the keeper but cannot be faulted for his effort.
Half way though the half Van Der Saar was again forced into a save by Riquelme direct from a corner. The ball whipped in curled towards the far post but was tipped on its way by the outstretched hand of the experienced stopper.
Two minutes later he was tested again by Tevez who made his way onto a low free kick played in by Riquelme only to be denied by a fingertip save from Van Der Saar with the aid of the post.
Argentina were rampant and the Dutch, without anyone to break up the play in the centre of the field, struggled to cope with the movement and play of their talented South American opponents.
Maxi Rodriguez who had failed to be involved in the game up until this point came close to scoring a wonderfully volley from the edge of the box. With two goals against Serbia his confidence was up and even though Van Der Saar was beaten his shot had a little too much curl on it and was just wide of the right hand post.
The second half began at a tip toeing pace and it was Argentina who again made the better start led by their playmaker Riquelme. Collecting a pass from Messi just outside the box he fired a shot in low from the edge of the area but was just off target with his latest effort.
Moments later Maxi peppered the Dutch goal with another effort but off balance he fired over the bar as Argentina knocked at the Holland door again. After beating two men on the right the winger cut in but could not keep his shot down and add to his tally of two already claimed in the World Cup.
Not determined to claim just the one point Argentina tried again to score through Tevez but the star strikers’ effort was again thwarted by good goalkeeping from Van Der Saar in the Dutch goal.
Looking to sit back and soak up the pressure proved to be a dangerous game for Holland but in the end they held out for the point their defensive work probably deserved.
The result means that with neither side losing the superior goal difference of Argentina allows them to qualify first and go on to face Mexico but for Holland their second round game will be a repeat of the Euro 2004 Semi Finals with Portugal.
The game allowed both sides to change their starting line ups some what and gave members of both sides a chance to show what they could do if selected to start their second round games.
Holland rested Robben who was dangerously poised to miss the knock out stages after his yellow card against the Ivory Coast and they also completely changed their defense for this their third game of the group.
Argentina started with live wires Messi and Tevez upfront as well as giving chances to Cufre, Milito and Burdisso in defense.
The game was very much a chess match with both sides careful not to expend too much energy and give away their game plan early. The draw was a good result for both sides as neither would have wanted to break up the confidence or rhythm they had built up in Germany so far.
Despite changes to their line up, Argentina’s play still flowed through Juan Riquelme and their short passing was a delight to behold in the early stages. With the pace and mobility of Tevez and Messi it was possible to see how Argentina are being taken seriously to win the World Cup.
Tevez was the first to tease the Dutch defense with a winding run though his shot was just off target it gave Holland something to be wary of in the latter stages. Messi also fired a shot in during the early period of the game but a deflection took most of the pace off and Van Der Saar was able to gather comfortably.
A mistake in the Argentinean defense by experienced captain Ayala was enough to give Holland their first chance of the game.
Robbed off the ball by Kuyt, Ayala was taken out of the play as the Feyenord man played his shot just too close to the keeper from a tight angle. With options in the box Kuyt made a strikers decision to shoot and test the keeper but cannot be faulted for his effort.
Half way though the half Van Der Saar was again forced into a save by Riquelme direct from a corner. The ball whipped in curled towards the far post but was tipped on its way by the outstretched hand of the experienced stopper.
Two minutes later he was tested again by Tevez who made his way onto a low free kick played in by Riquelme only to be denied by a fingertip save from Van Der Saar with the aid of the post.
Argentina were rampant and the Dutch, without anyone to break up the play in the centre of the field, struggled to cope with the movement and play of their talented South American opponents.
Maxi Rodriguez who had failed to be involved in the game up until this point came close to scoring a wonderfully volley from the edge of the box. With two goals against Serbia his confidence was up and even though Van Der Saar was beaten his shot had a little too much curl on it and was just wide of the right hand post.
The second half began at a tip toeing pace and it was Argentina who again made the better start led by their playmaker Riquelme. Collecting a pass from Messi just outside the box he fired a shot in low from the edge of the area but was just off target with his latest effort.
Moments later Maxi peppered the Dutch goal with another effort but off balance he fired over the bar as Argentina knocked at the Holland door again. After beating two men on the right the winger cut in but could not keep his shot down and add to his tally of two already claimed in the World Cup.
Not determined to claim just the one point Argentina tried again to score through Tevez but the star strikers’ effort was again thwarted by good goalkeeping from Van Der Saar in the Dutch goal.
Looking to sit back and soak up the pressure proved to be a dangerous game for Holland but in the end they held out for the point their defensive work probably deserved.