MUFC
21-06-2006, 05:35 AM
Ruud van Nistelrooy is expecting a tough time against Manchester United team-mate Gabriel Heinze when Holland play Argentina on Wednesday.
The World Cup powerhouses meet in Frankfurt to determine who will qualify for the second round as Group C winners.
With both teams already through to the knockout phase, Dutch coach Marco van Basten has hinted he could rest several of his players.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored Holland's decisive goal in the last game against Ivory Coast, is still expected to lead the line against Argentina which will pit him against club colleague Heinze.
The rugged defender has overcome a serious knee injury to feature in the World Cup and has impressed at centre half for the current tournament favourites.
Dutch hot shot van Nistelrooy is delighted by Heinze's return to action, but is aware the pair's club allegiance will count for nothing.
"I know Gaby well," said van Nistelrooy. "I come up against him in training quite often and he's always a fierce competitor.
"He said he'd kick Wayne Rooney if necessary. He wouldn't be any different for me.
"The way he is playing is tremendous, but the way Argentina are playing, whoa!
"We saw the end of their 6-0 win over Serbia and we were very impressed."
The World Cup powerhouses meet in Frankfurt to determine who will qualify for the second round as Group C winners.
With both teams already through to the knockout phase, Dutch coach Marco van Basten has hinted he could rest several of his players.
Van Nistelrooy, who scored Holland's decisive goal in the last game against Ivory Coast, is still expected to lead the line against Argentina which will pit him against club colleague Heinze.
The rugged defender has overcome a serious knee injury to feature in the World Cup and has impressed at centre half for the current tournament favourites.
Dutch hot shot van Nistelrooy is delighted by Heinze's return to action, but is aware the pair's club allegiance will count for nothing.
"I know Gaby well," said van Nistelrooy. "I come up against him in training quite often and he's always a fierce competitor.
"He said he'd kick Wayne Rooney if necessary. He wouldn't be any different for me.
"The way he is playing is tremendous, but the way Argentina are playing, whoa!
"We saw the end of their 6-0 win over Serbia and we were very impressed."