Ruud Strike Not Enough for Hurt Dutch

Goalscorer
By Chris O'Brien
June 8 2006

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was once again on target for the Netherlands, but his first-half strike was not enough to beat Australia in a fierce friendly encounter in Rotterdam. The Dutch have picked up numerous injuries ahead of the World Cup finals in Germany.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was again on target for the Netherlands as they battled to a 1-1 draw with Australia in an ill-tempered affair.

The Manchester United striker, heavily linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford, struck on 27 minutes but the Dutch squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal which they were eventually made to pay for. Australia equalised in bizarre fashion, slamming home the rebound after Mark Viduka's penalty hit the woodwork, crossbar and United 'keeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

The result is not what the Dutch would have hoped for ahead of their tough Group C encounters with Argentina, the Ivory Coast and Serbia & Montenegro. Worse still, this was a furious encounter which saw Wesley Sneijder, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Philip Cocu all pick up injuries that could plague their respective campaigns in Germany. Luke Wilkshire was dismissed for Australia for the challenge that caused van Bronckhorst's injury.

Australia will be pleased with their battling point, in a game referred by England's Mike Dean. The Socceroos will face Japan, Croatia and World Champions Brazil in this year's finals.

Full Time - Netherlands 1-1 Australia

Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar (c &gk); Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Phillip Cocu, Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Arjen Robben, Jan Kromkamp, Andre Ooijer, Robin van Persie, Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder.
Substitutes: Henk Timmer (gk); Maarten Stekelenburg (gk); Khalid Boulahrouz, Denny Landzaat, Dirk Kuyt, John Heitinga, Tim de Cler, Hedwiges Maduro, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Ryan Babel.

Australia: Mark Schwarzer (gk); Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Mark Viduka (c), Vince Grella, Scott Chipperfield, Mile Sterjovski, Luke Wilkshire, Marco Bresciano.
Substitutes: Zeljko Kalac (gk); Ante Covic (gk); Tim Cahill, Tony Popovic, Josip Skoko, Harry Kewell, Stan Lazaridis, John Aloisi, Michael Beauchamp, Archie Thompson, Josh Kennedy, Mark Milligan, Kristian Sarkies.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy was once again on target for the Netherlands, but his first-half strike was not enough to beat Australia in a fierce friendly encounter in Rotterdam.