Soccer: Argentina and Dutch cancel each other out

Netherlands' Andre Ooijer fouls Juan Roman Riquelme. Picture / Reuters

FRANKFURT - Argentina and Netherlands, already qualified for the knockout stage of the soccer World Cup, put out weakened teams and cancelled each other out in a 0-0 draw today.

The result meant both finished Group C on seven points with Argentina finishing top thanks to a superior goal difference after their 6-0 thrashing of Serbia & Montenegro.

Argentina go on to play Mexico in a second round fixture in Leipzig on Saturday. Netherlands face Portugal in Nuremberg the following day.

Argentina left out strikers Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola who were both carrying yellow cards, and Netherlands made five changes, also protecting players from potential second bookings which would have meant suspensions for the second round.

A tight, tactical battle only sprung to life on isolated occasions, mainly when Argentina threatened to score, having created the more chances.

After the teams had weighed each other up for the opening quarter of an hour, the first shot on target came from the Dutch.

An error by right back Nicolas Burdisso allowed winger Dirk Kuijt to force a leaping save from keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

Minutes later, Argentina strung together a long passing movement which ended with Carlos Tevez shooting narrowly wide of Edwin van der Sar's right-hand post.

The keeper, equalling the Dutch caps record of 112 held by Frank de Boer, had to act sharply to turn over Juan Roman Riquelme's inswinging corner.

Tevez then chased a low Riquelme free kick to the near post, forcing a quick intervention from defender Khalid Boulahrouz whose attempted clearance came back off the post.

With Argentina being forced back in the latter stages of the first half, Maxi Rodriguez had a shot from outside the box that shaved the diving Van der Sar's right-hand post.

Argentine teenager Lionel Messi, making his first start in the finals, was restricted by close Dutch marking but got in a shot in first-half stoppage time that went straight to Van der Sar.

- REUTERS