World Cup Review

Day 8
Friday, June 16

all the Match review are from the Offical world cup site on yahoo.com on http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/

GROUP C
Argentina (W=3pts.) v Serbia & Montenegro (L=zero pts.)
Argentina gave a fearsome show of attacking strength as they swept aside Group C rivals Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 in Gelsenkirchen on Friday, 16 June 2006.
Jose Pekerman's team equalled their record FIFA World Cup™ win against Peru from 1978 against opponents they had, coincidentally, dismantled by the same score at the 2004 Olympic Football Tournament. More importantly, the victory took them a big step closer to the second round, while leaving Serbia and Montenegro’s hopes hanging by a thread.

The flow of goals began in the sixth minute with Maxi Rodriguez and after Esteban Cambiasso had doubled the lead in the 31st minute, Rodriguez struck again to make it 3-0 ten minutes later. There was no respite for Serbia and Montenegro after the break as, following the dismissal of Mateja Kezman, Hernan Crespo hit Argentina's fourth in the 78th minute. Substitutes Carlos Tevez (84') and Lionel Messi (88') completed the scoring in the final ten minutes.

If anyone doubted Argentina's credentials, they can doubt no more. As for Serbia and Montenegro, this ‘nightmare group’ has become just that.

GROUP C
Netherlands (W=3 pts.)v Ivory Coast (L=zero pts.)

The Netherlands booked their place in the Round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup™ as goals from Robin van Persie and Ruud van Nistelrooij earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Côte d'Ivoire in Stuttgart on Friday, 16 June 2006.
Their second win in Group C means the Dutch advanced with a game to spare, along with Argentina who also have six points after beating Serbia and Montenegro 6-0 earlier in the day. Côte d'Ivoire, like the Serbo-Montenegrins, can go no further in this tournament but they certainly pushed the Dutch all the way.

After Van Persie's 23rd-minute free-kick opener, Van Nistelrooij doubled the Dutch lead four minutes later but the Ivorians hit back through a spectacular Bakary Kone effort and threatened an equaliser on more than one occasion.

With this second win by the narrowest of margins, the Netherlands advance to the last 16 alongside Argentina. Debutants Côte d'Ivoire put on another fine show but when they travel home after their final match against Serbia and Montenegro they will reflect on the costly goals conceded early in their first two games.

GROUP D
Mexico (W=3pts) v Angola (L=zero pts)

A brave performance from ten-man Angola saw them hold Mexico to a goalless draw in their Group D meeting in Hanover on Friday, 16 June 2006.
Angola, who lie 53 places below El Tri in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, frustrated the Mexicans due to a combination of some resolute defending and some superb goalkeeping from Joao Ricardo.

The Palancas Negras' task was made even harder when they had Andre sent off in the 79th minute, but the African side held firm to register their first ever point in the FIFA World Cup™ finals.

Angola collected their first ever FIFA World Cup point with a courageous display and still have a chance of making the second round. Despite creating few clear chances, Mexico, on four points, are nevertheless well positioned to qualify with the fixture against Portugal still to play.

Group C
Argentina 6 pts. (+7 GD)
Holland 6 pts.(+2 GD)
Ivory Coast no pts. (-2 GD)
Serbia and Montenegro no pts.(-7 GD)

Last Match in Group C
Jun 21 - 3 PM
Netherlands v Argentina
Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro

Group D
Mexico 4 pts. (+2 GD)
Portugal 3 pts. (+1 GD)
Angola 1 pt.(-1 GD)
Iran no pts.(-2 GD)

Last match in Group D
June 21 - 10 AM
Portugal v Mexico
Iran v Angola

In the Final 16:
Ecuador, Germany, England
Argentina, Holland

Out of the World cup:
Poland, Costa Rica, Paraguay
Ivory Coast, Serbia and Montenegro

Tomorrow matches
Portugal (3 pts.) v Iran (zero pt.)
both teams are hoping for a win the will put them in good postion for the last match on to the final 16 Portugal is hoping to win to get in, Iran hoped to get a point to make things very isering

Czech Republic (3 pts.) v Ghana (zero pt.)
the Czech look good vs the USA now a win vs ghana would put them in the Final 16

Italy (3 pts.) v United States (zero pt.)
And this is it for the US a loss here will be a big let down from the final eight four years ago