Thursday Jun 15 2006 13:57
Marco van Basten is expected to name an unchanged side as the Netherlands bid to reach the second round of the competition by beating Ivory Coast in Stuttgart.
Arjen Robben's first-half goal ensured the Dutch beat Serbia & Montenegro 1-0 in their opening Group C game but Ivory Coast should not be under-estimated as they pushed Argentina all the way in their first encounter at the World Cup finals before eventually losing 2-1.
Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has a slight calf strain but is expected to play. The Manchester United shot-stopper suffered the injury during the Oranje's opening-game victory and sat out training on Tuesday.
However, Van Basten said: "Edwin will be fit for Friday's game. He does have a problem with his calf but it is very minor. He has had some treatment but it is not a big issue and I am sure he will be available."
Van Basten thinks there is more to come from his team, adding: "My midfielders have to bring more variety to their game and make other choices than just feed the ball to Robben. We also have a right wing."
The Elephants looked the best of the five African sides in Germany in their defeat to Argentina. Didier Drogba was outstanding while Arthur Boka, Didier Zokora and Yaya Toure all enhanced their reputations with fine displays.
Drogba received a slight knock on his ankle against Argentina but is fully-fit, according to team doctors.
Ivory Coast coach Henri Michel is expecting a tough game against Holland and is keeping his cards close to his chest in the build-up to the match.
"This will be our second final," he said. "We have two more matches to play, two more matches to win and six points to claim.
"I will say nothing about the team or tactics. I am not going to give anything away."
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