MATCH 08 REPORT : DEFIANT DUTCH MAKE A POINT

First chance
This meant a more central role for Sneijder's AFC Ajax club-mate Van der Vaart, playing just behind Van Nistelrooij, to whom the first chance of the match fell after two minutes. Dutch captain Phillip Cocu chipped into the area and the Manchester United FC striker was not quite quick enough to connect with the goal at his mercy.

Needless booking
With Cocu and Edgar Davids prompting from deep the Dutch were in the ascendancy for much of the first quarter, but chances at either end were at a premium and German striker Kevin Kuranyi picked up a needless booking as he tried to rectify the situation by using his hand in the Dutch area.

Kuranyi effort
A half-hit shot by Christian Wörns from Bernd Schneider's cross, easily gathered by Edwin van der Sar, was the preface to Germany's first serious threat. After Frank Baumann had broken up a Dutch attack, Dietmar Hamann threaded a pass through for Kuranyi, who shot powerfully and Van der Sar tipped over the bar.

Frings opener
From the corner Wörns' downward header bounced up and over the bar when he might have done better, but Germany did not have long to wait. Cocu picked up the game's second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Philipp Lahm near the left touchline, and Frings' wickedly curling free-kick evaded everyone and bounced in off the far post.

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