Four off as Portugal edge out Holland
Four off as Portugal edge out Holland
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Sunday, 25, Jun 2006 10:27
Nine-man Portugal set up a quarter-final clash with England after a 1-0 win over nine-man Holland in a fiery match in Nuremberg.
Former Chelsea midfielder Maniche’s goal in the 23rd minute gave Luis Felipe Scolari’s side victory and the Brazilian will now face Sven-Goran Eriksson for the third time in four years in the last eight of a tournament.
Portugal midfielder Costinha was sent off in the first half while Dutch duo Khalid Boulahrouz and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and Portuguese midfielder Deco were given their marching orders in the second half as referee Valentin Ivanov dished out 16 yellow cards – a new record for a World Cup match.
Holland dominated the opening exchanges and could have led after 65 seconds but Mark Van Bommel’s drive from the edge of the area was narrowly wide.
After absorbing Dutch pressure, Portugal scored from their first attempt on goal when Deco’s cross from the right was layed off by Pauleta to Maniche who side-stepped his marker and fired past Edwin Van Der Sar from six yards.
Portugal nearly doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Pauleta’s turn-and-shot from close range was parried by Van Der Sar, who won his 130th international cap, which passed Frank De Boer’s record.
In the dying seconds Costinha was sent-off for handball having earlier been booked for a mistimed tackle.
The second half began in frenzied fashion with Holland missing a glorious chance on 48 minutes to equalise when midfielder Philip Cocu found himself in acres of space but rattled his shot against the crossbar from five yards.
Boulahrouz was then controversially given a second yellow card on 62 minutes after appearing to elbow veteran Luis Figo who went down clutching his face which sparked a mini-fracas.
Deco was then booked twice in five minutes for firstly a lunge on Johnny Heitinga and then time wasting in the 78th minute.
Portugal nearly sealed victory in the 88th minute but Miguel’s shot was smothered by Van Der Sar.
In the closing stages, Van Bronckhorst picked up his second booking for a foul on Tiago to make it nine players each at the final whistle.
Portugal face England on Saturday afternoon in Gelsenkirchen for a place in the semi-finals.