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Maximum competition in Oranje

August 19th, 2007 | By: Jan | 11 Comments »

Almost all players are injury free and with lost sons Seedorf and Van Nistelrooy back in the orange jersey, it seems we have killer competition in Oranje.

That became clear when Marco van Basten announced his group for the friendly against Switzerland. That match is the only prep match in the lead up to the qualification duels against Bulgaria and Albania on 6 and 10 September.

With Ruud van Gol back and Van Persie at long last fit, Van Basten made some victims: Huntelaar, Landzaat, Ooijer, De Jong and De Cler are not needed for now.

Ooijer has been surpassed by Heijtinga who often plays as midfielder for Ajax but who will be used as defender by Van Basten and Van ’t Schip.

In midfield, Landzaat has always been a bit of a question mark for many. San Marco left him out of the group only once (the Slovenia match in March 07). In the jockeying for defensive midfielder De Jong needs to allow Van Bronckhorst and De Zeeuw as favorites.

But, the most debatable choices will be made for the strikers in the next months. The first indication is Huntelaar’s snubbin’. Van Basten wants top dog Ruud and specialist Vennegoor of Hesselink for the center striker positions, with Kuyt and Van Persie as alternatives for that position. Kuyt has better chances than Hunter because Dirk can also play on the wings, which is important with Robben currently injured.

On the right flank, Van Basten will use Van der Vaart. Van Basten said at the last press conference: “With Ruud back, it doesn’t mean this will change our game plan.” Coach and players didn’t discuss where it went wrong last time around, with Van Nistelrooij as number 9 and two wingers who kept on moving to the center. “Listen, it’s nonsense to blame the system or to blame individual players. The discussion is not “4-3-3 or 4-4-2”. It’s about building up from the back in such a way that you can leverage your specific strength and create opportunities to score. With Ruud as striker we did create chances, but we didn’t always score. Ruud’s job is scoring goals. Period. Ruud scored prolificly in Madrid, but you can’t say Real Madrid played fantastic football. They didn’t.”

Van Nistelrooij limited his statements to: “It’s simple. I’m glad to be back. I’m glad I can wear the orange jersey again. I want to represent Holland and give it my all. That’s the only reason I’m here. To represent my country.”

The former Man United and PSV star kept in contact with some players and staff members. “The usual suspects, the lads I always keep in touch with.”

With regards to the intense competition in Oranje, he said: “Bring it on! It’s important to have maximum pressure on the group for the EC next year. That’s good. And it is supposed to be like that with the Dutch team. Only the very best, only the very best…”

Tags: Rafael van der Vaart, Robin van Persie, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, The Netherlands

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Comments

By Mario | August 19th, 2007 at 11:41 pm

My line up for next game:

(4-3-3 formation, van Basten´s game plan). Mine would be to field a 4-4-2 formation but that is not going to happen, so here is my team…

1-van der Sar
________________________________
2-Melchiot
3-Heitinga
4-Mathijsen
5-Emmanuelson
________________________________
6-Seedorf
7-van der Vaart
8-Sneijder
________________________________
9-van Nistelrooy
10-van Persie
11-Babel

By Peter v | August 20th, 2007 at 1:51 am

1-van der Sar
________________________________
2-Heitinga
3-Boulahrouz
4-Mathijsen
5-Emmanuelson
________________________________
6-de Zeeuw
7-van der Vaart
8-Seedorf
________________________________
9-van Nistelrooy
10-van Persie
11-Babel

Think I would go for something along those lines.

Posted from Australia

By Jan | August 20th, 2007 at 4:54 am

Guys, Joris Mathijsen is not going to join Oranje, due to a little injury. Change the line up.

I’d say:

Sar
—–
Melchiot
Heijtinga
Boulah
Emanuelson
———–
Sneijder
Gio
Seedorf
———
Persie
Ruud
Vaart

Posted from Australia

By Miguel Rosado | August 20th, 2007 at 7:06 am

Edwin

Melchiot
Heitinga
Bouma
Emanuelson

Seedorf
Sneijder
Afellay

Persie
Nistelrooy
Vaart

*It would be silly to play Persie as a wing, he could play Bergkamp’s position just behing Ruud.

By Tiju Thomas | August 20th, 2007 at 9:40 am

We r depending on van persie only if he or RVN scoring then we will win

Posted from India

By goose | August 20th, 2007 at 11:11 am

Affelay is out and Landzaat is back!

think Matijssen is not really injured and think deJong will also be called for the official ones..HSV plays on friday so they have only one day to recuperate (?) , not sure if vdVaart will play..well see…cant wait!!!!!!!!!!! its been too long

Posted from Netherlands

By Lerkot | August 20th, 2007 at 11:41 am

My lineup in the prep game:

Stekelenburg, need international experience

Melchiot
Boula
Heitinga
Emanuelson

Gio
Sneijder
Seedorf

Van der Vaart
Ruud
Van Persie

By Mario | August 20th, 2007 at 12:14 pm

I do not think Gio is capable enough to play the holding position for Oranje, in that role I prefer a phisically stronger player like Maduro, de Zeeuw or even van Bommel that Gio. I am sure he will do well at Feyenoord but at international level he is not at the same level as a player of the qualities of a Gattuso, a Frings, Gerrard or somebody like that so is not a smart move to play Gio in that position but I think that San Maeco will do it…

By goose | August 20th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

yeah, nice one on the goalie Lerkot

agree with Mario on VBronckhorst, could he play as a left defender???

Posted from Netherlands

By stephen | August 20th, 2007 at 2:01 pm

Now that Landzaat is back, it wouldn’t suprise me if Marco immediately catipultes him to the starting XI…again. Ugh

Posted from United States

By goose | August 21st, 2007 at 9:11 am

btw; bit off topic but tought it was worth mentioning;

vanBommel, together with the biggest newspaper De Telegraaf and Limburg Television made a brilliant joke;
he ‘told’the press that he was working on getting a german passport and had already talked to Joachim Lowe (german headcoach) about playing for Der Mannschaft!! hahahah… all the other papers bought it and there were discussion on the internet etc.!)
hahaha…that would have been some story tough!!

nice one Mark

grtz

Posted from Netherlands

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