Berlin: Argentina try on their mantle as World Cup favourites in Frankfurt on Wednesday against the promising young Dutch contenders in the most appealing of the first round fixtures at the 2006 tournament.
When the two teams were drawn together in Group C in Leipzig last December, it was immediately clear it would be the most mouth-watering of the early games.
Though an edge has been removed from the encounter by the fact that both have already qualified for the last 16 thanks to victories over both Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro, the game remains eagerly awaited.
The main question being asked wherever soccer is watched is whether Argentina can reproduce the dazzling football they served up in their 6-0 demolition of Serbia in their last game.
Argentina, needing only a draw to finish top of the group, are likely to face a weakened Dutch team as coach Marco van Basten has indicated he will rest most of the six players who have already received a yellow card in the tournament.
Argentina themselves have three yellows and coach Jose Pekerman may decide to rest at least one, striker Hernan Crespo.
Ivory Coast, unlucky to be drawn in such a tough group, will look to salvage something from their first World Cup campaign when they play the other Group C match against Serbia, who are also out of contention for the last 16.
The winners of the group play the runners-up of Group D which should be decided when leaders Portugal take on Mexico in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday afternoon.
Portugal's place in the next round is already secure but a draw would guarantee they top the group and probably avoid Argentina.
Mexico need a draw to ensure their place and a win would give them the added benefit of top place in the group.
Angola, playing Iran in the other Group D match in Leipzig, have a small chance of staying in the tournament but they have to win and trust that Mexico lose to the Portuguese and that they can go through on goal difference.
In Tuesday's games, Germany sparked national euphoria by beating Ecuador 3-0 in Berlin to complete three victories out of three in Group A.
They now play Sweden, runners-up in Group B after a 2-2 draw in Cologne with England, who topped the group and go on to meet Ecuador in the second round.
Four teams played their final World Cup games before going home.
Poland beat Costa Rica 2-1 in Hanover to take their first points of the tournament and Paraguay did the same in their 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Kaiserslautern.
Comments
0 comment