Bert van Marwijk gives a signal. To the young and the old…

February 20th, 2012 | by: Jan |

three new

Ola John impresses at FC Twente. Game in game out, the mercurial winger is involved with dribbles, pinpoint crosses, assists and goals. He scored a beauty last midweek against Steaua Bukarest, gifting his new/old coach McClaren the away win.

Ola John, Adam Maher and Luciano Narsigh were selected by team manager Bert van Marwijk in the prelim squad for the England friendly. John: “I was a bit startled, to tell you the truth…”

Ola John heard the news the morning of the Europa League game. “I actually didn’t believe it at first. Sometime players try to trick you with funny things but I heard it via the club so it had to be true… It’s quite something. I’m only 19 years old. Even if it’s just the prelims…”

Van Marwijk will make his definitive squad known later this week. John: “I am not counting my chickens. We’ll see. If I can come to Wembley I’d be stoked, who wouldn’t want that?”. John gets the nod in front of more experienced players Babel and Elia who both do not get a lot of playing time at respectively Hoffenheim and Juve.

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Ola

“Yeah, they don’t play, so it’s not that weird that the coach tries new options. But this gives me a sensational feeling. It’s just an enormous honour. What can I say… The greatest thing is that I received a supportive tweet from Eljero Elia, right after the news broke. That really touched me.”

Narsignh had a great first season’s half at Heerenveen and is courted by Ajax, his former club. A great foundation for his future. “I have a contract with Heerenveen till 2013 and Heerenveen promised to offer me a new contract soon. We’ll talk about that sometime soon, I guess. But with Marco van Basten as our new coach, I’m keen to learn what the plans are. My selection for Oranje means I’m doing something right. I’m on the right track. I actually didn’t count on this, as team managers tend to look at players of the big 4…”

Gertjan Verbeek, AZ coach, was a little bit surprised with Adam Maher’s selection. The grumpy AZ coach: “This goes really fast. At the start of the season I had to tell everyone who he was, he has only played one Under 21 Oranje game and he’s invited for the big team. But…it’s great for him.” Maher is only just 18 years old and became a regular this season.

Verbeek believes that Maher will be able to adjust to the Oranje level without a problem. “Obviously, I’m guessing here, as I don’t know the level they play at, really. But his quality is that he can adjust easily to a higher level. That’s why I could start him in this AZ team. Some players have that. Maher and players like Clasie can play in Barcelona without a problem.”

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Luciano

Maher still needs to decide whether he wants to play for Morocco or Holland, but a friendly won’t have influence. “Maher doesn’t want to hurry the decision. I spoke about it with him, but he will decide,” says Verbeek.

Earlier, Van Marwijk already announced he would follow some players in the Dutch competition closely. “The group just under the Oranje core. I have to, as we have quite some injured players and players without rhythm due to all sorts of reasons. I will need to be flexible, with only months to go before the EC. I have a list of 15 names of players who could be fasttracked if the circumstances demand this.”

Rafael van der Vaart turned 29 years old last week and starts to feel like a veteran. Hearing about new blood coming to the group he noticed how youngster assimilate easily within Oranje, which has a good and a bad side to it.

Van der Vaart: “I remember when I made my first entrance at Oranje we played piggy in the middle and when Davids said to you that you touched it last, you didn’t say a word but made sure you were in the middle as fast as possible. Even if he was wrong. Now, you sometimes have to debate this for 20 minutes with a newbie.”

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Adam

The 93 times capped Spurs midfielder: “I hope it’s all still special for these lads. It would be sad if it’s not. We don’t have players that tell these youngsters off though. Nigel, Wes, Johnny, Robin and me…we don’t. I’m not sure if that will work. It’s something you have or you don’t.”

“But I had that too. I thought I was a star once. I had the show business girl friend, I played for Ajax, had money, you know. And the whole nation responded. They said I lived the high life and they yelled the most horrible things to Silvie. I had to prove myself extra. It can be a tough learning institution, life…”

Van der Vaart does see that the youngsters adapt quickly to the level of playing. “The good thing is that most Dutch clubs work in the same way. Players who were developed at Sparta, AZ, Feyenoord or Ajax all seem to be doing similar things. And I guess our training staff scouts and analyses well….”

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 66 comments.

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By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 12:44 pm

and I’m black, you moron

Posted from Canada

By Sam | February 21st, 2012 at 12:50 pm

you’re an asshole.

Posted from United States

By Anton | February 21st, 2012 at 12:55 pm

Can someone clarify for me where Adam Maher was born? I am getting some conflicting reports on the internet. It doesn’t make a difference one way or another, I’m just curious. He’s a class player who’s only 18, clearly BVM thinks highly of him (enough to put him in a prelim squad). I am also confused about FIFA regulations. How is it decided who he will finally represent? Is it the country that he plays for at the senior level in an actual competitive match?

Posted from Canada

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Fair enough Sam. Using Podoski and Khedira as examples was a bad choice – at least with them they identify as being German and wouldn’t choose otherwise (so props to them), despite the rest of the world questioning the German team about it.

My argument has nothing to do with race though. I’m talking about patriotism and paying back the country that has educated you, and your family for possibly generations and in the case of Maher if he ends up choosing Morocco than he’s done himself a dis-service and the also the nation of Holland.

Maher is born in Holland, educated in Holland, football educated in Holland. He is second generation, possibly third… what emotional tie does he have to Morocco?? Quite frankly if he chooses Morocco, he’s a coward and that is not what Oranje needs in the first place

Posted from Canada

By OranjeFan | February 21st, 2012 at 1:02 pm

The FIFA rules around eligibility are indeed loose and every now and then it comes around to bite you. However I’d say on balance – it allows individuals some choice which is not a bad thing, and on balance larger football nations benefit.

Netherlands is a larger football nation, and Canada is not.

Too often Canadian born and raised talents (and there have been a few in recent years) disappear off to some other nation – this permanently condemns Canada to “minor” league status. I don’t have any solution for it, I’m just saying these rules most often penalize the smaller countries and usually benefit the bigger ones.

Personally I don’t care what a player’s name is – to me personally everyone should play for the national team of the country they were born in. Anything else just makes international games a kind of “elite” club football. On the other hand, I can see why its done, and I doubt it will change, and for now its the rules and that is fine. But just remember – every now and then we may get bitten.

OJF

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 1:02 pm

@ Sam,

Sticks and stones buddy

Posted from Canada

By Sam | February 21st, 2012 at 1:09 pm

I don’t disagree with your argument when you present it like this. All I really wanted was a clarification something along the line of “I didn’t mean to sound racist”.

Anyway, you’re still thinking in general – how about we look at it from a different point of view… warm the bench for Oranje for the next 4 to 6 years, never step foot in any major competition OR play a major part in morocco’s worldcup campaign and get to be a valuable member of the moroccon national team? quite frankly, to debate this idea is only normal. For example, do you think if Ibi Afellay opted to play for morocco, he would come on as a substitute if he is 100% fit in any game? He’d be a starter in every single game when he’s 80% fit. Any person who played football competitively does not like to warm the bench. period.

Posted from United States

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 1:16 pm

Of course I didn’t mean to sound like a racist, who wants to sound like a racist? I do understand your point Sam. Its probably better football-wise for Maher but it sends the wrong message in my opinion. I’d much rather see him fight for a place in Oranje and show other Dutch born Moroccans that they can do it and maybe they wouldn’t feel like they are not part of Holland. Btw, everything you’ve said makes sense to me, I’m just a little pissed that Srinjoy jumped in and accused me of being in the KKK.

I really think he needs a girlfriend or a dog or something

Posted from Canada

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 1:17 pm

Off topic but doesn’t Maher look a bit like Aaron Winter?

Posted from Canada

By Sam | February 21st, 2012 at 1:17 pm

lol

Posted from United States

By Sam | February 21st, 2012 at 1:18 pm

No one looks like Aaron Winter after he scored that goal against Brasil in 94.

Posted from United States

By samuel Oudegeest | February 21st, 2012 at 1:29 pm

Wow – nice exchange above

1) Holland has a long glorious history of immigrants contributing – Spinoza to the soccer greats.

2) Appreciate the joke on the last names actually – the spelling are fun.

3) Choosing a national team is really tough for a lot of youngsters. Oranje is just much more difficult to get onto that all but a few national sides. In many cases it is – you declare for Oranje risking not getting used vs starting for another team. `If you love the game that’s a tough choice. Ask De Guzman if he’s happy with his decision now…

4) We should all be thankful that almost any players play on the national sides. Because if I were their accountant – I would tell them sure play – BUT only in the 2 big events – WK and Euro.

5) Anyway – anyone else amazed at how fast English football has fallen this year?

Posted from United States

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 1:38 pm

@ Samuel, on 5) English football has dropped alot but I think its because Chelsea and Man U have been below par and rebuilding. I think Man U will be back to where they should be next year. Chelsea on the other hand, AVB is gonna get the sack and they will get some new guy who will have to deal with the fact that they have to overhaul the team.
I kinda feel for Arsene Wenger, I think Arsenal sucks because they have turned into Ajax, selling off their talent and not paying rediculous money to get new talent. you can only hope as an Arsenal fan that they institute some sort of financial fair play.

Posted from Canada

By Jan | February 21st, 2012 at 1:50 pm

Hey all, take it easy a bit and don’t jump the racist horse too soon.

Saying you only want “real Dutch blokes” in Oranje has nothing to do with racism!

Not that I agree .

Gullit, Rijkaard, Vanenburg, Winter, Afellay, Reiziger, Menzo, Davids, Seedorf, Kluivert, Van der Vaart…

Happy they all wore the Orange.

Maher is probably reluctant because of family pressure. The ones that doubt only doubt because they have the option choose. Take Jeroen Brouwer. He doesn’t get a look in at Oranje. Or Ricky van W. If these two would have a Scottish passport as well, and Scotland really wants them, while Bert ignores them…..can you blame them for giving it a go?

Wouldn’t you want to play a World Cup?

By Sam | February 21st, 2012 at 2:03 pm

@Jason – apparently, Arsenal pay a lot of money as salaries according to goal.com but it’s their transfer policy that has hurt them. The problem is that they’re not going after good talent. Look at Tottenham, they have not paid a lot of money for any of their players I don’t think and look at all the names they have! VDV, Adebayor, Saha, Modric, Bale.. they are all top quality footballers and didn’t cost them that much. Makes me wonder, how did they get all these players for so little?

Posted from United States

By Alberto | February 21st, 2012 at 2:12 pm

I remember an interview of maher’s father, where he actually said his son would have chose Oranje over Marocco anytime. I’m 99% sure he’ll play for The Netherlands. I could bet on my house.

By Balkan | February 21st, 2012 at 2:12 pm

@Jan. I was very enthusiastic about Ricky van W until I watched a couple of games with Sporting this year. Honestly he looked very ordinary, light weight and he only has scored 7 goals for the team this year. I am not big on Huntelaar but Hunter seems from a different planet when compared with Ricky. I find it difficult for Ricky to make into national team the way he looks right now.

Posted from United States

By Jason | February 21st, 2012 at 2:29 pm

Tottenham has done awesome in terms of transfers. Alot of that has to Harry. I’m sure he’s extremely frugal.

Posted from Canada

By Srinjoy | February 21st, 2012 at 2:46 pm

haha cmon sam, i dint say u were d kkk…bt u were in danger of soundin like them …the way u phrased it was in all honesty quite bad n immature…lol i have a luvly german shepherd, zaz..but who wudnt want a blonde duchess in their lives..hope ur nt stll pissed mate

Posted from Bosnia And Herzegovina

By hien | February 21st, 2012 at 10:01 pm

Last I read Douglas is not eligible to play for Oranje. From this lineup for England friendly I can read that Bert worries a bit on the fitness up front for Robben (and whoever on the wings). There is no young defense outstanding enough to replace Boula or Joris. Perhaps he slowly call up young players, a few at a time, not all at once.

Posted from Canada

By OranjeAussie | February 21st, 2012 at 11:12 pm

Thanks for this post Jan… Interesting to see what the young talents think of there call up to the Oranje squad.

I also have a question for anyone out there.

Was on the Ajax Wikipedia page and notice that there was a new nickname for the team it was “I Lancieri” (The Lancers) I was wondering where it came from and what it’s meaning was?

Posted from Australia

By Ahmer | February 22nd, 2012 at 2:10 am

I didn’t read all comments but I have to say Jason isn’t racist. I agree with his point and have said the same before. If you are born and raised in a country; Use their health care to grow strong, use their education system to gain knowledge how can you not feel affinity with that land and represent them.

At the same time I do see the players side and the need to play. Playing in a World Cup for a mediocre team is better than not having ever played in a World Cup. I think Maher will play for Oranje and will be a future starter. He’ll replace VdV/Sneijder.

What do you guys think of Wijnaldum playing CM as he does for PSV? I personally don’t buy it. He is more of a Ronaldinho type of player and would be best as a SS or Wing forward.

By ruudking | February 22nd, 2012 at 3:50 am

De Guzman had choosed CANADA and Ozyakup had choosed Turkey!

By Alex | February 22nd, 2012 at 5:26 am

@ RuudKing, De Guzman chose the Netherlands…. but Bert systematically ignored him which is probably gonna make him switch back in the end.
Ozyakup rejected Turkey, but after what u could call semi-stalking and asslicking by the turkish gang, including Hiddink and after I think after he did not have such a prominent role in the oranje youth team he just switched.
This is what i mean with clientism.
Especially Ozyakup falls for the sucking up, playing for oranje youth teams for so long and then switching.. I dont understand why we tolerate this, we should demand a financial settlement from Turkey.

Douglas isnt eligible yet, only after the summer.

Posted from Netherlands