Preview: Netherlands vs. Argentina

June 21st, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

GAME DETAILS
Netherlands vs. Argentina, Frankfurt, 21:00 CET
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World Cup Gear: Netherlands | Argentina

THE BIG PICTURE
What was billed as the marquee match before the World Cup has lost a bit of luster now that both teams have already secured a spot in the knockout stage. Argentina has been one of the most impressive teams in the competition and is riding high after dismantling Serbia and Montenegro 6-0. Netherlands is also confident after a pair of effective wins. Both teams are expected to rest their players carrying yellow cards. At stake in this match is the top spot in Group C.

Teams: Likely formation; shirt numbers, name, caps, goals

Argentina (4-4-2)
1-Roberto Abbondanzieri (24-0); 21-Nicolas Burdisso (10-0); 2-Roberto Ayala (102-6), 15-Gabriel Milito (15-0), 3-Juan Pablo Sorin (73-11); 18-Maxi Rodriguez (15-5), 8-Javier Mascherano (17-0), 5-Esteban Cambiasso (24-2), 10-Juan Roman Riquelme (33-8); 11-Carlos Tevez (22-4), 20-Julio Cruz (15-3) Coach: Jose Pekerman

Netherlands (4-3-3)
1-Edwin van der Sar (111-0); 12-Jan Kromkamp (11-0), 13-Andre Ooijer (21-2), 2-Kew Jaliens (1-0), 15-Tim de Cler (3-0); 6-Denny Landzaat (25-1), 20-Wesley Sneijder (25-5), 8-Philip Cocu (99-10); 7-Dirk Kuijt (20-4), 9-Ruud van Nistelrooy (53-28), 17-Robin van Persie (12-2) Coach: Marco van Basten

LIVEBLOG
Follow the match highlights as they happen on the Netherlands vs. Argentina LiveBlog and stop by to leave your thoughts and comments about the match

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IMPRESS YOUR FRIENDS

Netherlands

Netherlands goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is set to win his 112th cap, bringing him level with Dutch record holder Frank de Boer. Philip Cocu is about to become the third Dutch player to pass the milestone of 100 caps.

In Netherlands, in 1634, a collector paid 1,000 pounds of cheese, four oxen, eight pigs, 12 sheep, a bed, and a suit of clothes for a single bulb of the Viceroy tulip.

A national campaign against swearing has started in Netherlands. Railway stations have started to display signs that say: “Missed your train? Cursing doesn’t help!”

Netherlands Team Blog
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Argentina

Argentina have only beaten Netherlands in one of their seven meetings including friendlies — the 1978 World Cup final in Buenos Aires. Netherlands won their last World Cup clash 2-1 in the 1998 quarter-final in Marseille with a brilliant winning goal from Dennis Bergkamp.

The Driest place on earth is the Atacama Desert, in Argentina. It’s a place with virtually no vegetation; in some parts of Atacama Desert, it has never rained.

In Argentina a dog says: “guau guau” (pronounced wow wow)

Argentina Team Blog
Team Roster
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TEAM BLOGS & DISCUSSIONS

Netherlands Team Blog
Argentina Team Blog

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Nicolás

The Atacama desert is in Chile, but is a minor mistake. Great Blog!.
jdub

Chile is in Argentina.

Another minor mistake.
Nicolás

What???
jdub

Just a joke :)

Luck to Argentina tommorrow! Ill be pullin for the Netherlands, but I am really happy for the country of Argentina after 2006.

If tommorrow is a preview of the final, we’re in for a great rest of the tournament! :)
jdub

I meant “after 2002″
mightie

i hope they return to play again in the final (inshallah) with full strength squad and everything to lose.
http://megatifoyahoo.com megatifo

Too bad some of the gloss has been taken off this due to the fact that both have qualified but should be a real cracker nonetheless.
Deviilz.

Anyone think the odds for an Argentinian win at 1/2 goal advantage to Holland too much..?
(FYI. 1/2 goal adv. to Holland means Argentina can win by 1 goal margin)
For me both team would choose to play below 100%…,and that makes this game kinda hard to predict.
matthew

This my friends will be a very interesting match. Looking forward to see what both teams card-free/second string can do. Rooting for Holland because I still think they will surprise everyone and win the cup (But I’m still die-hard England).
Deviilz.

Argentina remains the fav. in my part of the country..!
A_D

Hey change the pic, i will die if argentina starts wearing orange
BJB

What is going on with the hipper theatrics of the Argentinean player. Cry, cry, cry. This is a mans game. Why don’t they play it straight and not by faking fouls. Best game yet England v. Sweden–no theatrics just straight play.