Preview
Netherlands v ArgentinaLionel Messi had been relishing a World Cup matchup against FC Barcelona teammates Mark van Bommel and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Forget it. The most anticipated first-round World Cup game, featuring Argentina and the Netherlands, has lost a lot of its luster.
Since both nations were so efficient in beating Serbia-Montenegro and Ivory Coast, Group C has already been decided before the final round of games.
And with the prospect of facing Portugal, Mexico or Angola in the next round, both Argentina and the Netherlands are set to rest key players with injuries or facing the threat of suspension.
The Netherlands needs a victory to win the group, while Argentina, because of its 6-0 drubbing of Serbia-Montenegro, can finish atop with a draw.
According to the latest speculation, Dutch coach Marco van Basten will sit the Barcelona duo, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, central defender Joris Mathijsen and the injured John Heitinga.
Likewise, Argentina coach Jose Pekerman might hold out the suspension-threatened Luis Gonzalez, who is also slightly injured, Hernan Crespo, Javier Saviola and Gabriel Heinze.
Players with one yellow card after the first round go into the second with a clean slate, making it all the more imperative for the coaches not to take risks with their regular first 11.
Argentina, however, has such depth that lineup changes might not affect its play. That cannot be said of the Netherlands, which already had trouble filling key midfield and defensive positions.
The winner of Group C meets the second-place team from Group D in the next phase. The loser of Netherlands-Argentina would have to face the Group D winner, which will either be Portugal or Mexico. Angola can also advance, but cannot finish first.
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