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Oranje worries about defense

May 18th, 2008 | By: Jan | 5 Comments »

OUCH!

The return of Khalid Boulahrouz was just a footnote in the KNVB press release but in fact it’s a remarkable news item. The Sevilla defender is back in the Oranje camp after more than 6 months of injuries. Officially, Boulah will have to convince Van Basten that he is fit, but it does say a lot about Van Basten’s defensive worries.

The former Chelsea defender played his last match in October 2007 against Atletico Madrid. In the last two seasons he played 19 official matches, of which 5 as a sub.

And the Oranje staff wasn’t totally happy with him during the last tournament, claiming that Boulah has a tendency to choke when the going gets tough.

The players Van Basten sent away are all logical choices, although it’s remarkable that he sent away three defensive players (Jaliens, Maduro and Emanuelson). Maduro couldn’t impress enough at Valencia, Emanuelson is injured and Jaliens couldn’t make a difference at AZ. But MArco van Basten said before the WC2006 that he wanted two players for each position. It seems almost impossible now to achieve that.

We only have six defenders for the four positions (Heitinga, Bouma, Ooijer, Melchiot, De Cler and Mathijsen ) with Boulah as a potential number seven. However, it is a big question mark whether the he is able to play the tough matches on the EC with no real match fitness.

It seems the two remaining players to leave will be one goalie and one of the holding midfielders (Landzaat, De Zeeuw, De Jong or Engelaar).

Of the offensive players, Kuyt and Afellay are still not certain of their spot. Van Nistelrooy, Robben, Vennegoor, Sneijder and Van der Sar will join the trainings camp later.

On Saturday May 24 Oranje will play the first serious friendly against Ukraine in the Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam.

Tags: Background stories, Boulahrouz, Euro 2008, Holland, Kuyt, Oranje, Sneijder, Van Basten

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Comments

By sphinx | May 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pm

Think it’s logical to give up two players for one position tihs time.
Our defence really questionable. Defence party has to concentrate on own duty then attacking build-up. We can expect wing supports only from two veterans, Melchiot and GB. GB likely to cover defensive mid-field and left flank attack support. For Boula, we need him as a stopper. He could be better than Heitinga or Ooijer.
I can’t leave Kuyt or Afellay at the expence of and holding midfielders(Landzaat, De Zeeuw, De Jong or Engelaar). MVB should think Afellay as holding role like SAF using Owen Hergraves or Alan Smith earlier.

Posted from Australia

By Jan | May 18th, 2008 at 9:25 pm

I always have to think about the 1974 campaign, when Israel and Laseroms (and Hulshoff) were injured. I think Michels picked midfielder Arie Haan and young Wim Rijsbergen as center backs only days before the first WC match.

Posted from Australia

By Rob | May 19th, 2008 at 12:09 am

Landzaat needs to go. Pointless player to have.
De Jong can sort of cover in defence so Van Basten must have in mind to keep him.

As for Boulah - if he’s fit now, then he needs to be there. Van Basten needs to play him in the friendlies. I’d also like to see Engelaar given a try in the friendlies.

Posted from Japan

By ferenc | May 19th, 2008 at 3:17 am

i’m happy with boulah’s return,but following the liga,even at the beginning,in september he wasn’t convincing at all. last season at chelsea he was horrible,the weakest point of their defense. hopefully he will improve,but marco should have some doubts. anyway our defense is bad,marco doesn’t take too much risk picking boulah. at least he’s solid,and i never forget what he did against crying stupid baby ronaldo. it was beautiful,a hard but very nice gest,this is why i love him. (and really,really hate ronaldo.)
unfortunately,we don’t have arie haans and wim rijsbergens in our current squad… landzaat is obviously useless. the problem is that de jong is as useless as labdzaat.

Posted from Hungary

By Kervin | May 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am

It would be very tough. Just look at the french defense, the best left back and best right back of the premier league (sagna and clichy) has been left out of the squad! Nesta won’t be playing for Italy. + trezegeut, inzagi, totti, mexes… some hope plz!

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