The Netherlands opened their World Cup campaign with a tough Group C victory over Serbia & Montenegro in Leipzig.
Their Chelsea based striker Arjen Robben scored the only goal after 17 minutes to allow Marco van Basten to celebrate his first victory in a FIFA World Cup™ game, as a player or coach.
Robben also had a shot charged down after 35 minutes.The win was essential for Holland, who now face Ivory Coast on Friday and Argentina next Wednesday.
Serbia and Montenegro never gave up but it was the Dutch who had done just enough to secure a narrow and important win in this highly contested game.
The victory puts Marco van Basten's Dutch team level on three points with Argentina at the top of Group C. Serbia & Montenegro have it all to do if they are to proceed.
Serbia & Montenegro: Jevric, Dragutinovic, Gavrancic, Nenad Djordjevic (Koroman 43), Krstajic, Duljaj, Stankovic, Predrag Djordjevic, Nadj, Kezman (Ljuboja 66), Milosevic (Zigic 45). Subs Not Used: Basta, Dudic, Ergic, Ilic, Kovacevic, Stojkovic, Vukic.
Booked: Stankovic, Koroman, Dragutinovic, Gavrancic.
The Netherlands: Van der Sar, Heitinga, Mathijsen (Boulahrouz 86), Ooijer, Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder, Van Bommel (Landzaat 60), Cocu, Van Persie, van Nistelrooy (Kuyt 69), Robben. Subs Not Used: Babel, De Cler, Jaliens, Kromkamp, Maduro, Stekelenburg, Timmer, Van der Vaart, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Booked: Van Bronckhorst, Heitinga.
Goals: Robben 18.
Att: 37,216
Ref: Markus Merk (Germany)
For
all your Football tickets and events from around the globe be sure to check
out Finaltickets.com. Specialising in tickets that are normally considered
hard to find. We have the lot so dont forget that's www.finaltickets.com.
Click here to visit 
.jpg)
