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Dirk Marcellis claims a 0-0 draw in Holland's opening match (PSV.nl)

7 aug 2008 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl


Holland were held to a 0-0 draw by Nigeria on Thursday night in Tianjin in their Group B opening match at the Olympic Games. Under conditions with high atmospheric humidity and a temperature of 35 degrees, the Africans provided formidable opposition throughout for Foppe de Haan's team. PSV defender Dirk Marcellis was included in the starting line-up.
United States of America are group leaders
Roy Makaay and Gerald Sibon created chances either side of the break. Makaay lashed a volley against the bar and Sibon curled a free kick just wide of the goalkeeper's post. Jonathan De Guzman unleashed a long-range effort, while Holland keeper Kenneth Vermeer kept a clean sheet, denying the Nigerian forwards by pulling off a string of fine saves. PSV midfielder Otman Bakkal came on to replace Urby Emanuelson ten minutes from time. The match ended in controversial circumstances as Holland midfielder Evander Sno was given a straight red card in the dying seconds. The United States of America are on top of Group B, after Stuart Holden made sure of a 1-0 victory over Japan, scoring a goal two minutes into the second half. Belgium slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Brazil in the other Group match. Hernandes broke the deadlock for the Canaries eleven minutes from time. Belgium were reduced to nine men following the dismissals of captain Vincent Kompany and Marouane Fellaini.
Holland line-up:
Vermeer, Zuiverloon, Marcellis, Jaliens, Jong-A-Pin, Maduro (46, Sno), Emanuelson (80, Bakkal), De Guzman, Drenthe; Babel and Makaay (46, Sibon).