Netherlands join Argentina in super-16

STUTTGART (Germany), June 16 (BDNEWS) – Netherlands progressed to the super-16 round of the FIFA World Cup 2006 handing a 2-1 defeat to the new comers Ivory Coast in the Group-C match in Stuttgart Friday.

Netherlands joined Argentina in the second round from Group-C winnings both the matches in the group round.

The Dutch again relied on the wings Friday and got a goal from Robin Van Persie on top of power forward Van Nistelrooy's first World Cup strike.

Van Persie first set up his free kick with a searing run from the right wing into the center, where he was floored on the edge of the penalty area by Kolo Toure in the 23rd minute.

Already brimming with confidence, the lefty lined up a drive that clattered into the upper right corner before goalie Jean-Jacques Tizie could get a hand up.

The Dutch started playing their best soccer after the goal, and they finished off Ivory Coast with a six-pass move from defense.

Ivory Coast came back, Kone using his speed down the Dutch left wing. He scored with a sharp-angled drive well outside the reach of keeper Edwin van der Sar.

For the Africans it was not enough. With the final Group C games on Wednesday, Ivory Coast and Serbia-Montenegro are eliminated.

The Netherlands and Argentina play for first place in the group on Wednesday.

They threatened several more times, but could not find the net again.

The Africans struck back with a gem from Bakary Kone as all the scoring came in the first half.

BDNEWS/0015 hrs