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Holland get thin slice from Chinese oven
Thursday 07 August 2008
A thin slice in the shape of one
point was all the Dutch Olympic football team was able
to pull out from the Chinese oven in Tianjin in what
was their first match of the group stages.
Holland were suffering against
a Nigerian team that - being from Africa - seemed better
capable to deal with the devastating heat.
Substitute Evander Sno had the
toughest night.
In extra time he deliberately stepped
on the foot of a Nigerian player and received a red
card.
Sno could be one of two players
not available for Sunday's match against the USA because
the foot injury of striker Roy Makaay seems rather serious.
Under the sweaty circumstances
in the Olympic Centre Stadium it was hard to play good
football for both teams.
Holland were unable to apply their
usual offensive tactics with a lot of movement between
the lines, but they were the better team for most of
the first half.
Inspired by Jonathan de Guzman
and Royston Drenthe Holland created a handful of chances,
but they were unable to score.
Roy Makaay came very close twice,
but both times he was called back for offside.
Nigeria showed glimpses of their
ability, with especially Victor Obinna being a nuisance
for the Dutch defense.
But the forward of Italian outfit
Chievo missed all three chances he had.
At half time coach Foppe de Haan
had to take off Makaay and Hedwiges Maduro and that
didn't do the team much good, as with their replacements
Gerald Sibon and Evander Sno Holland created few chances.
Nigeria did better, but with Dutch
goal keeper Kenneth Vermeer neutralizing two shots from
distance and Urby Emmanuelson clearing a header off
the line the Africans were also not able to get on the
score sheet.
Holland are back in the Chinese
sauna in Tianjin on Sunday to face the USA, who started
their tournament with a 1-0 victory over Japan.
Netherlands - Nigeria 0-0
Referee: Pozo (Chl)
Attd.: 52.000
Red card: 90' Sno (NL)
Yellow cards: Jaliens (NL), Apam, Adefemi, Ogbuke (Nig)
Netherlands: Vermeer, Zuiverloon, Jaliens, Marcellis,
Jong-A-Pin, De Guzman, Maduro (46. Sno), Emanuelson
(81. Bakkal), Drenthe, Makaay (46. Sibon) and Babel
Nigeria: Vanzekin, Adefemi, Apam, Adeleye, Okonkwo,
Okoronkwo (70. Ogbuke), Ajilore, Kaita, Obinna, Isaac
(88. Ekpo) and Odemwingie (80 Anichebe)
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