NETHERLANDS-CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Players' Quotes

16 June 2006

Arjen ROBBEN (NED), Budweiser Man of the Match
I feel happy to be awarded Man of the Match, though it's more important we win as a team. The second half was very difficult for us and Ivory Coast caused us lots of problems, but I am satisfied with the way we worked today. Both games were tough for us and we started well in them. After the quick two-goal lead today, we might have taken it a bit too easy and we didn’t play on our best level. Ivory Coast can be proud of their performance, as they played strongly in both matches. Maybe it was just bad luck for them.

Ruud VAN NISTELROOIJ (NED)
I’m very happy that we had a lot of luck, I liked the atmosphere in the stadium very much. The crowd was fantastic. We created a lot chances in the first half and this is the way we always want to play, with two goals after a few minutes.

Robin VAN PERSIE (NED)
We are not afraid of Argentina in the next match and we will win the group. It was a game with many positive things for me and one thing was my goal. I also managed to clear the ball off the line.

Andre OOIJER (NED)
It was a really tough game and the Ivory Coast players never gave up.

Khalid BOULAHROUZ (NED)
I was glad to be a part of the game. It was an unbelievable atmosphere. We are fit and ready for the next game against Argentina and it’s our target to be the number one in the group.

Edwin VAN DER SAR (NED)
I’m happy that we have qualified for the next round and now we have to deal with Argentina. It will be a very hard and tough game. We both have six points and the more wins you get, the better it is for you. From tomorrow on, our focus is on Argentina. I’m happy Robin van Persie was on the scoresheet today and he’s had a good season in England.

Phillip COCU (NED)
There was a lot of fire in the game. This was the hardest group and it looks like the favourites have passed to the next round.

Mark VAN BOMMEL (NED)
I think getting to 2-0 was a good score at the beginning of the match, but then we lost our plan a bit. Ivory Coast were very strong, especially down the right-hand side, where they created a lot of pressure.

Rafael VAN DER VAART (NED)
The next match will be the most important one because we absolutely want to be the first in our group. I’m happy that we reached the next round and we have to win against Argentina. That will be a close, tough game.

Ryan BABEL (NED)
The game against Argentina won’t be a friendly because we want to be first in the group.

Jean-Jacques TIZIE (CIV)
We tried everything and we must not have our heads down. We did everything we could and we will try to do better next time.

Didier DROGBA (CIV)
It’s very hard to catch up two goals. We gave our best but I am realistic. We had a very hard group although I think we still deserved to get into the next round. We felt like we played a really good game today, but playing well doesn’t guarantee victory.

Bakary KONE (CIV)
It’s a pity but this was our first experience. We can say that we had a lack of luck. We have to do everything to qualify the next time and in the next World Cup we will not play the same.

Arouna KONE (CIV)
It was a hard game. Our tactics were good. In the next game against Serbia and Montenegro we want to try to get a win. I think it's a question of experience. All the other teams have experience of playing in the World Cup but we don’t.

Kolo TOURE (CIV)
I am disappointed that we are out of the World Cup but it’s a learning process for us and it will help us to improve our game