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Van Marwijk: Van der Sar and Van Gol not relevant now

September 3rd, 2009 | By: Jan | 43 Comments »

Team manager Bert van Marwijk refuses to look into the future regarding a comeback of Van der Sar and Van Nistelrooy.

Both players announced that the WC 2010 is still in the back of their heads. Van der Sar (130 international games) broke two fingers last month and is at least another month out. He is focusing on getting back into action for Man U, but did discuss a potential come back for Oranje. Van Marwijk: “I am aware of that. We talked during the CL draw, but it’s premature. He needs to get fit first and play games for Manchester and then we’ll see hoe it pans out.”

Van der Sar did come back earlier to help Oranje out against Iceland and Norway, due to injuries of Timmer and Stekelenburg. “But this is really my last,” he said then.

Stekelenburg, asked for a reaction on the news. “It’s beyond my sphere of influence, therefore I don’t think about. What can I do? I will perform as good as I can and the manager will make his decision. That’s all I can do. Focus on my performance in Oranje.”

Van Nistelrooy let on he really wants to go to the WC. Van Marwijk: “Ruud has my phone number, so he can always call. Edwin had said goodbye before I took the job. Ruud told me personally he wanted to retire and wasn’t able to combine Oranje and Real. If the situation has changed for Ruud, he needs to tell me personally. Then we can talk. And then we’ll see what happens.”

Van Marwijk was content with the moves of his Real players. “Sneijder and Robben made good moves. They both work with renowned football coaches who can appreciate their skills. I have confidence that they will come out good. Huntelaar found a good club as well, but I have the feeling his status there is different. For now, at least. Rafael takes a risk with staying at Real Madrid. He knows that, but he did get positive signals and I think he’ll get his playing time there. Most importantly, he took this decision in view of this personal, domestic situation. And to me, that means he is a courageous and stand-up guy who knows his priorities. I can only support that. Some people called him a softie to except Real’s offer. I don’t agree, it’s a sign of strength.”

Another Oranje starter on the bench is Nigel de Jong. “Nigel is a bit of a worry, but he told me that the situation will change for him shortly. We’ll see how that goes.”

Van Marwijk: “It still early days. It’s a known fact that you never play a tournament with the team you use a year before. Look it up. There’s a plethoria of scenarios out there. Injuries, form loss, new positions, young talented players who break through, you name. Two years ago, Loovens was under the radar. Elia was a nobody… Things change and they usually come good, although you just don’t know how. For now, the focus is on beating Scotland. The WC is still months a way…”

Glenn Loovens will almost certainly make his debut against Japan. Van Marwijk: “I have confidence in Loovens. He’s a fighter. I know him well as a person and have no doubt about his character. He is strong in the challenges, an excellent and courageous header and better with his feet than many think. I had my doubts about the fact that he hasn’t played against many top strikers yet. But I saw him against Arsenal, twice, and he kept his head above water. That’s one signal. And now I see how he holds up during training, and believe me…the level at Oranje training sessions is sometimes mindblowing, even for me. That tells you something…”

Tags: Group C, Loovens, Nistelrooy, Robben, Sar, Sneijder, Van Marwijk

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 43 comments.

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By Mihran | September 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am

I haven’t seen Loovens playing, but if so many people say that he is good, it means he is really good. And I think that van Nistelrooy maust prove that he is ready to be back in Oranje, as I don’t think that he’ll have much playing time in Madrid.

By sonneveld | September 4th, 2009 at 8:37 am

the chance for vorm or velthuizen.

Vorm is more likely than velthuizen right?

By Jeroen | September 4th, 2009 at 8:48 am

yeah i think vorm will play. unfortunately vorm is not really “in vorm” (in shape).

Posted from Netherlands

By Jeff | September 4th, 2009 at 8:49 am

I would pick Vorm over Velthuizen but frankly Vermeer may be better than either one. Jennings also played in the WC 94 at the age of 39-40 I believe. The Zoff omen is a good one though. I hope VM experiments a little against Japan. I would love to see Elia play at least a half, Heitinga in the center, Braafheid LB and VDW at RB. We shall see. How do those on the blog who live in Asia rate Japan? Are they a threat?

Posted from United States

By Alex | September 4th, 2009 at 8:51 am

Loovens stood up well to Arsenal and in other games for Celtic. Good strong player, good physique, hard tackler, good speed and agility. Whether he’ll still make big steps up from now is the question. Though I do think he fits in fine at oranje. Yet having also seen all Feyenoord matches so far, mainly to look at Vlaar, Fer, Wijnaldum and De Guzman. I can’t help but see Vlaar as the best CB prospect right now. Above Loovens. He also had good physique, is very strong, good tackler, at least as fast as Loovens, and he can direct others. Above all, Vlaar just looks like he does things with such ease and calm. He has a feel like he always has things under control, and that’s half the work.

Posted from Netherlands

By Alex | September 4th, 2009 at 9:03 am

Just read what were called quotes by V.Marwijk about the matter, I don’t know whether they’re genuine, but the possibility of it being genuine makes it interesting nonetheless:
“We believe that every player we select, can make us stronger. In this case, that applies for Loovens as well”
“We have been following Glenn for a while and whe are also keeping an eye on Ron Vlaar, but we won’t be bothering him yet, for some time”

Posted from Netherlands

By Sol | September 4th, 2009 at 10:24 am

Isn’t it about time for an article about the Dutch women team? They made the semis already. Completely unexpected.

Posted from Netherlands

By Felix | September 4th, 2009 at 10:47 am

Netherlands vs Finland in u21 qualifier today…

You can watch it here:

http://www.soccertvlive.net/

By finnster01 | September 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am

@Sol: The Dutch women team making the semis? I didn’t know Feyenoord had improved that much already..

By sonneveld | September 4th, 2009 at 11:46 am

By Jeroen | September 4th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

@finnster

for some reason that made me think of hofland with a wig and lipstick on….you’re spot on though .

Posted from Netherlands

By Jeff | September 4th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

@finnster, I love your comment!! Well said.

Posted from United States

By sonneveld | September 4th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

sol are you a dutch fan or english, ive been there twiceand you were commenting

By Jeff | September 4th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Just saw U21 and the best were by far Bruma (very impressive), Kuiper, Janmaat, Fer, and slightly less Biseswar, Donald and de Jong. Virtually the whole team! For me though Bruma is big time. Krul also will be a fabulous GK. Great to see that.

Posted from United States

By Sol | September 4th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

Dutch fan.

Posted from Netherlands

By 3ric | September 4th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Bruma did indeed look impressive, though a couple of his errors could have been costly. His positioning could use some improvement. I am very delighted with his build-up and passing, attributes you don’t normally see in youngsters. He’s been a top performer in Chelsea reserves, and had few invitations last season training with the first team. If he keeps improving, I’d say by the tail of this season, he will get sparing minutes in senior shirt.

I thought De Jong had a great game, very active in attack and diligent in defense. It surely seems he builds his game in the mold of Sneijder’s, too bad his long distance efforts were rather useless to say the least. I wasn’t impressed at all with Biseswar, a bit too selfish in my view, and his decision making was atrocious. There were times he could have released his teammates, but instead he ran blindly with the ball. Couple times he switched the ball to the other flank, and overpassed to out of bounds, very frustrating to see. That said, I think he still has a lot of room to improve.

By Alex | September 4th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

I’ve been following Bruma for the last 2 seasons, so I’m not surprised he did well. I reckon he’ll make the Chelsea first selection within a few seasons, maybe even within next 2 cause Chelsea can’t buy any players till 2011 and they might lose some.
I’d play Barazite instead of Biseswar, more potential in my eyes.

Posted from Netherlands

By Jeff | September 4th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

Agree with your comments about the U21 game, and also thought de Jong did well but his finishing is really horrible. He should have scored at least 3. He has the same problem when he plays for Ajax. Regarding Biseswar, yes he did not have a great game and totally missed his crosses but he is still dangerous and scored. He is more penetrating than Barazite. Overall, I thought the defense/defensive MF were the best. Van Volkswinkel was very disappointing. He can do much better.

Posted from United States

By sonneveld | September 4th, 2009 at 4:40 pm

my prediction, netherlands 3-0 and one will be a free kick. van persie and sneijder are both very good but have not scored on one for a while so i predict one

By Carlos | September 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm

Jeff- Japan in friendlies is about on par with Finland. They are however quick on the counter. Considered an Asian powerhouse with South Korea and Australia.
@Alex – Your summation of Vlaar looking like “he is always in control” is EXACTLY how I would describe him. Hope his form conyinues. What was the Under 21 score btw ?

Posted from Singapore

By Jan | September 4th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

Piece on the women “the Lionesses” is coming up. I’m always trailing behind the news a bit… . But they’re outstanding.

Very funny Finnie…

Japan is a tough contender, according to the Aussies. Hard to beat. Tenacious, quick, fearless and focused.

Vlaar… Mario Been said recently that the whole defensive back 6 ( defenders/holders) perform better due to Vlaar’s presence. He plays like Beckenbauer while he just got back from a 2 year injury!!!!

That’s almost impossible.

He reads the game well, is tough, has good feet, strong header and above all: personality. I do think he’ll get a bit of a reaction soon though… That normally happens…

By Jeff | September 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm

Carlos- the score was 2-0 Siem de Jong and Biseswar scored. Easy win without more than one scary moment. Complete and total domination by the jong oranje although they could have played a little faster and finish better. Thanks for the info on Japan. I think it will be 2-0.

Posted from United States

By Alex | September 4th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

I think, in a way it’s interesting to see our young defenders and holding mids outplay our attackers, just what we are most famous for. Maybe a natural fluctuation going from a lot of class attackers and creative players and going completely the other way, sort of defensive baby boom. Or it could be cause our clubs can’t play too attacking in Eredivisie cause the differences between clubs are becoming smaller and in European football we have to be more conservative and cautious or we’ll be thrown out within minutes. Our diminishing succes with attaking play in europe might just guide us into a more defensive minded style. You can see it already in oranje too, 2 holding mid. Or last guess, maybe european football is just changing, cause i see more and more systems with 2 holding mids.(I think most of them inspired by oranje’s reasonable succes at the EC)

Posted from Netherlands

By OranjeRules | September 4th, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Who played for Holland in the U-21 today? I would like to review the line-up.

By dirk v.d.Berg | September 4th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

http://www.uefa.com/competitions/under21/fixturesresults/round=2000006/match=2000115/report=rp.html

thats the official match report from fifa, there are some highlights on youtube of the goals, but they’re not good quality.

Posted from Canada