| European neighbours and Group E rivals Holland and Belgium shared the spoils in a frustrating encounter in front of an
expectant 75,000 crowd in the Stade de France, St Denis. The battle of the Lowlands had been billed as a mighty confrontation
between two countries that had met on 119 previous occasions, but disappointingly resulted in the 26th draw after a goalless
stalemate. Belgium will be delighted with their point, having set their stall out to achieve exactly that outcome from the first
whistle, but the Dutch will look back on squandered chances after dominating the possession. Holland opened brightly enough
with Overmars posing such a constant threat down the Belgian right that his marker, Bertrand Crasson was replaced on 22
minutes by Eric Deflandre in an attempt to nullify the major Dutch attacking source. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, only playing due
to Dennis Bergkamp's lack of match fitness, had a glorious chance to open the scoring after six minutes but screwed a right-foot
shot wide of the target. Holland continued to press forward with a patient passing build-up that seldom troubled the Belgians,
who were content to see their opponents play pretty football in front of them. Despite ten Dutch goal attempts in the first half
Belgium 'keeper Filip De Wilde was only called upon to make one save from Ronald de Boer's low shot on 14 minutes. Nilis
and Oliveira hardly had a kick between them in the opening 45 minutes as Belgium were happy to sit back, but Wilmots so
nearly scored right on half-time in a rare attack following Danny Boffin's excellent cross. After the interval, little changed, apart
from a couple of efforts from the previously quiet Luc Nilis and a great chance for Dennis Bergkamp on as a 65th minute
substitute for Hasselbaink, but for once this season the Arsenal striker missed the target. The major talking point came on 80
minutes when Patrick Kluivert was sent off for apparently elbowing Lorenzo Staelens. Video evidence later showed that the
Dutch striker had barely touched the defender but he will still miss the next game against South Korea. Mexico top the group
after their victory against ten-man South Korea this afternoon and all four sides are still in with a plausible chance of progressing
to the second stages. |
