MATCH 23 REPORT : DUTCH STROLL THRU

De Boer in
As expected, Dutch coach Dick Advocaat made two changes from the side that lost 3-2 against the Czech Republic, bringing in Michael Reiziger at right-back to replace the suspended John Heitinga, while Frank De Boer made his first start of the tournament for the injured Wilfred Bouma, his 111th cap. Aleksandrs Starkovs kept faith with the same Latvia eleven who started the draw against Germany on Saturday.

Lively start
It was the first time these two countries had met and the Netherlands went on the offensive straight from the kick-off. Within a minute Van Nistelrooij headed a Giovanni van Bronckhorst throw-in into the path of Clarence Seedorf on the edge of the Latvian penalty box, but the shot was high. Maris Verpakovskis demonstrated his lightning pace at the other end, outstripping De Boer and Jaap Stam before firing a shot into the side-netting.

Kolinko saves
Phillip Cocu tested Latvia goalkeeper Aleksandrs Kolinko on 12 minutes with a powerful shot from just outside the area, but the FC Rostov man got down smartly to turn the ball round the post. A minute later, Van Nistelrooij should have opened the scoring after a sumptuous pass from Arjen Robben had put him straight through on goal, but having rounded Kolinko he somehow contrived to hit his shot back into the goalkeeper's chest.

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