World Cup Day 8 - Holland qualify

Holland secured their place in the second round alongside Argentina with a 2-1 win over an Ivory Coast side who have faced both top seeds and could consider themselves unfortunate to be on the losing side both times.

Holland now have to beat Argentina in the last group game to finish atop of the group and on the evidence of the games so far will struggle to do so, Argentina looking full of attacking threat whilst Holland have laboured to victory and don't look to be the strongest Dutch side we have seen over recent times.

I've been impressed with Ivory Coast and whilst they didn't quite play the role as spoiler in this group (and the Serbians wouldn't have taken advantage anyway) they have looked the strongest of the African sides and count themselves unfortunate to have been drawn in such a tough group, as a more favourable draw could have seen them contest for a place in the second round.

Standings:

Argentina 6pts +7gd
Holland 6pts +2gd
Ivory Coast 0pts -2gd
Serbia & Montenegro 0pts -7gd