Argentina and Netherlands seek second-round safety
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-06-16 21:12

Two-time World Cup winners Argentina and dark horses the Netherlands will be out to book their passage into the next round by winning their respective matches.

Germany, England and Ecuador are already into the last 16 knockout phase with a 100 percent record in their games and will now be jockeying for position to finish top of their groups.

The Argentinians go into their match against Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen at 1300 GMT Friday with confidence growing that they are mounting a serious challenge after 2002's disastrous campaign.

Coach Jose Pekerman has a host of attacking options at his disposal, but has yet to unleash teenage prodigy Lionel Messi on the tournament. The 18-year-old starts on the bench on Friday.

In Stuttgart, the Dutch face an Ivory Coast side who were beaten by Argentina in their opener, but not before showing they have the potential to shock the big guns.

Ivorian striker Bonaventure Kalou said he was feeling the pressure to avoid a defeat which would almost certainly end the west African nation's hopes in their World Cup debut.

"Football is like the first religion there," he said. "Everyone stops work to watch our matches, so we can't disappoint.

"This match carries the greatest importance," said Kalou, who plays in France for Paris St Germain.

Dutch defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst said he wanted to get the job done.

"We want to qualify as soon as possible, and don't want to have to go into the third game having to secure a win."
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