A bit of everything

FC Twente played an impressive match against big guns Arsenal for the CL qualifications in Enschede.

Although the McLaren team never looked liked they’d whip the Gunners’ arses, a goalless draw seemed possible. Arsenal benefited from a defensive blunder after an hour of play, when the Tukkers forgot to clear a Van Persie free kick and Gallas scored the 0-1. Late in the game Arsenal scored the second. It seemed the CL is one bridge too far for Twente.

Arsene Wenger was impressed with the way Twente played, but Steve McLaren blaimed his team for defending to naively. “These matches will help us progress, in the end. We may have lost now, but these defeats will make us stronger.”

Robin van Persie even commented on the toughness of his opponents. “We knew they’d try to outplay us physically. It was even borderline mean, at times.”

The match at the Emirates Stadium seems a formality for FC Twente.

Former Feyenoord defender and Cardiff player Glenn Loovens struck a four-year deal with Celtic. His former Feyenoord coach Van Marwijk will often watch the Glaswegians play, what with Vennegoor there and Loovens might well be one of the new defensive rocks of Oranje.

Foppe de Haan’s last training was canceled due to heavy rains. “I’m not that sad about it. It was a bit of running for the players who didn’t play against Japan. Let’s hope it’s dry when we play Argentina.”

Harris Medunjahin, one of Holland most technical player, is tested by Spanish side Real Valladolid. The former AZ player isn’t used as much as he wants by Louis van Gaal, while Foppe de Haan bypassed him for the Olympic Games. “I need a fresh start. I know what I can, but somehow my coaches in Holland lack faith in me.” The out-of-this-world skilled midfielder is criticized by the over-critical Van Gaal for his lack of discipline and vision. Van Gaal has always been more in favour of polyvalent pplayers vs specialists.