Doha, Dec 3 (AFP\/APP):Australia take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a David v Goliath World Cup showdown while the United States look to ambush the Netherlands as the World Cup knockout rounds get under way on Saturday.<\/p>\n
After a group stage full of twists and turns, the business end of the tournament kicks off with 16 teams dreaming of plotting a path to the final in Doha on December 18.<\/p>\n
The USA and the Netherlands open the second round at the Khalifa Stadium on Saturday, with the Americans aiming to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002.<\/p>\n
Coach Gregg Berhalter’s USA squad booked their spot in the last 16 with a 1-0 win over Iran to secure second place in Group B behind England.<\/p>\n
While the Dutch possess the greater historical pedigree, reaching three previous World Cup finals, the USA head into the knockout rounds brimming with confidence.<\/p>\n
“It’s a great opportunity, but it’s not something that we’re going into it thinking it’s an honour,” Berhalter said.<\/p>\n
“We deserve to be in the position we’re in.”<\/p>\n
The US face a Dutch team who finished first in Group A ahead of Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar without really showing their best form.<\/p>\n
The Netherlands’ veteran coach Louis van Gaal is wary of the threat posed by the energetic Americans, describing Berhalter’s team as one of the best in the tournament.<\/p>\n
Us”They have an excellent team, I would say even one of the best teams,” said Van Gaal.<\/p>\n
“It’ll be a tough match but it’s nothing we can’t overcome. We also have a good team.”<\/p>\n
In Saturday’s other knockout game, South American giants Argentina face an Australia side who confounded all expectations by getting out of a Group D that included defending champions France, Denmark and Tunisia.<\/p>\n
– Australia inspired –
\nHowever Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni is not ready to take anything for granted having already seen his team suffer a shock loss to Saudi Arabia earlier in the tournament.<\/p>\n
“Whether or not they are inferior to us remains to be seen,” Scaloni said. “Forget who is theoretically favourites and let’s play football.”<\/p>\n
Australia coach Graham Arnold meanwhile said he expects the Socceroos to raise their game once more against the star-studded Argentines.<\/p>\n
“Playing against that type of talent, and that name I think resonates right across the world — it’s a football nation and it is inspiring to play against them,” Arnold said.<\/p>\n
The conclusion of the group phase on Friday marked the departure of four more teams from the 32-nation tournament.<\/p>\n
South Korea battled their way into the last 16 after a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 win over Portugal which in turn eliminated Uruguay, 2-0 victors over Ghana.<\/p>\n
Tottenham forward Son Heung-min produced a brilliant assist for Hwang Hee-chan to score the goal that secured a 2-1 victory.<\/p>\n
The Korean players then watched the final minutes of Uruguay’s match on a mobile phone as they waited for their place in the last 16 to be confirmed.<\/p>\n
Uruguay, leading 2-0 against the Africans, needed one more goal to go through but fell agonisingly short despite piling on the pressure, crashing out by virtue of goals scored.<\/p>\n
Uruguay’s campaign ended in disarray with veteran Luis Suarez in tears on the substitutes bench while striker Edinson Cavani angrily knocked over a pitchside VAR monitor as he left the field — an apparent protest at several decisions which went against the team.<\/p>\n
Switzerland edged a bad-tempered encounter with Serbia to progress, winning 3-2 to earn a meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. <\/p>\n
Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka was at the centre of a melee between players form both sides after a clash with Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic.<\/p>\n
Brazil won Group G despite dropping nine players from their starting lineup and losing 1-0 to Cameroon with Vincent Aboubakar heading in a stoppage-time winner to claim a memorable win that could not prevent the African side being eliminated.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Doha, Dec 3 (AFP\/APP):Australia take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a David v Goliath World Cup showdown while the United States look to ambush the Netherlands as the World Cup knockout rounds get under way on Saturday. After a group stage full of twists and […]<\/p>\n
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