A new start for Oranje

Team manager Marco van Basten can look forward to a new start with the 10-day trip through South Korea and Thailand. The much debated return of CL-winner Clarence Seedorf has been silenced and the heated discussion regarding Ruud van Nistelrooy has also been put to a halt. Oranje enters the decisive phase of the EC qualification.

Van Basten really enjoyed himself on the beautiful pitch of the World Cup Stadium in Seoul. He usually plays along during training, but this time he really felt part of the group of young turks. Van Basten did his tricks, his turns, his shimmies while the group did their warming up.

“I think this is one of the best stadiums and pitches I’ve seen in a long while,” Van Basten swooned the crowd of journalists. “I am looking forward to playing South Korea, and certainly on a pitch like this. Funny thing is, this stadium is a sort of a copy of the Amsterdam Arena. So, what are they doing wrong in Amsterdam, to have such a difficult pitch there?”

One could say that most players would rather spend a warm holiday in Spain somewhere with the family, but Joris Mathijsen doesn’t agree. “It’s obvious that this will be a great trip for the memories and the scrap book. Two matches in Asia, you don’t do that too often.”

“Oranje is pretty popular in Asia. The stadium is sold out and when we landed in Seoul the players received so many gifts and presents. Very enthousiastic people, but more importantly, very polite and nice people too.” Van Basten again.

The new start towards the critical last phase in the EC qualification brings the know-how that both Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy will be there, when push comes to shove. Van Basten knows people think he is the one who made the deep bow for the Real Madrid star, although it actually was Ruud’s manager Roger Linse who called San Marco to reveal Ruud’s wish to come back. So, when Marco made the call, he knew Ruud would say ‘yes’ to him.
The fact that Van Basten and Van ’t Schip will need to make some tough decisions with players like Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie, Kuyt, Huntelaar, Babel and Vennegoor is something they’ll address when needed.

Most important item for the fiendly matches for the Dutch team manager is the build-up from the back. “That is problem number one. I am not satisfied with that, and we are vulnerable because of that. We need to practice this item before we start the EC campaign in September again.”

AZ defender Kew Jaliens caught the flu during the trip and will not train with the group as yet. Demy de Zeeuw is not match fit yet and is working seperately with the Physio.

Debutants Andwele Slory and Orlando Engelaar – the FC Twente midfielder replaces Danny Koevermans – were impressed with the huge stadium. “Not the same as Woudenstein (Excelsior’s homeground)”, said Slory when walking onto the pitch.

Van Basten expects to be able to use both Jaliens and De Zeeuw in the Saturday match against South Korea.