June 21, 2006
FLAT IN FRANKFURT
Argentina, Netherlands disappoint in 0-0 tie

FRANKFURT, Germany---Both Argentina and the Netherlands were on the field at Commerzbank Arena Wednesday, but neither team actually showed up in a 0-0 draw.

After playing entertaining and attacking soccer in their first two group matches, neither squad managed to muster much offense, with virtually all of the very few scoring opportunities coming off either free kicks or corner kicks.

Both teams finish group play with two wins and a draw, but Argentina wins Group C with a better goal differential. Argentina will face Mexico in the next round, while the Dutch will play Portugal.

Argentine forward Carlos Tevez had a few good opportunities to score, but they were all off the mark. In the 17th minute, his shot went wide to the left. Eleven minutes later Tevez went after a ball played into the box. He barely missed hitting it, but Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz, in trying to clear the ball, instead banged it off the left post.

Tevez’s two best chances came late in the game. In the 73rd minute, he broke free and fired a rocket which required a diving save to his left by Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar. In stoppage time, he had a dangerous chance in the box, sending a side volley just wide.

Holland’s Dirk Kuyt created a couple of chances as well, forcing a save by Argentine goalkeeper Robert Abbondanzieri in the 18th minute, and again off a 20 yard shot in the 77th minute.

A shot in the 27th minute by Juan Riquelme was punched over by Van Der Sar.

In the 85th minute Holland’s Rafael Can Der Vaart sent a free kick wide to the right.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman gave rising young star Lionel Messi his first World Cup start in the game, while resting stars Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola, each of whom was carrying a yellow card.