Oranje dynamics in the run up to the last games

October 5th, 2011 | by: Jan |

vaart

He was called the new Johan Cruyff when he made his debut. Now, Rafael van der Vaart ( 28) is closer to his final game for Oranje than his first, and despite his considerable skills, talent and ninety international games still not certain of a starting position in Oranje.

Wesley Sneijder is the fave for the number 10 spot, behind the striker. The Inter playmaker is not fit for the up and coming games. “It’s pretty logical that I’m an option for that spot now, but I do know that when Wesley is fit, he’s the first option for the role.”

Contrary to the past, the Spurs midfielder is fine with Van Marwijk’s preference. “As long as Wes excels there, he deserves to play there. Whenever Sneijder fails to perform, the trainer will need to make a decision. But he has had a splendid year and played a super World Cup. I tip my hat to him.”

As a result of Nigel de Jong’s absence in this EC qualification series, Van der Vaart played holding midfielder. “That actually went very well.” The creative midfielder does focus on that spot, next to Van Bommel. “Of course. Wesley and I have demonstrated that we can play together in the same team and I play well with Van Bommel too. Why would Van Marwijk want to change this?”

It won’t be easy for Van der Vaart, however. Nigel de Jong is returning from injury and Kevin Strootman has impressed in the games he played during the Brazil trip and recently when Van der Vaart was injured. The competition is fierce. “I know and it’s good. I remember when I was 20 years old and the midfielders felt they owned their spots. I was also thinking “I will play you out of the team”. Kevin will be thinking this too and Theo Janssen is there as well of course. Oranje is getting stronger and stronger.”

robin raf

Rafael doesn’t see himself as a winger though, like he has to play sometimes at Spurs. “With Tottenham I play wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 system. I can play there, as long as I can drift centrally. Like I did against Arsenal. That was when I scored the goal and can be important for the team. I had to chase the Arsenal full back a couple of times and that is simply not my strength. I think with my skills I need to play centrally and close to the goal.”

Asked about his role at Spurs, he does admit that he is enjoying himself “a percentage less”. “I won’t be throwing with the china, but I did get annoyed when the manager didn’t register me for the Europa League games. And playing wide midfield is also not me. I expect to get more opportunities in centrally.”

“These aren’t big things or anything and I am not pissed off or anything but yeah…small annoyances. If I’m going to be judged on my ability to defend against full backs, I’m not used properly. But I will do what the coach wants from me. I’m not going to complain or anything.”

Van der Vaart was looking forward to his reunion with Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. “The win over Arsenal makes I want to see his face again, haha. I will remind him of the score. But not too much. He was already agitated after the game when I spoke to him.”

bruma

Other Oranje players encountered one another too, this weekend. Such as HSV’s Jeffrey Bruma and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The Hunter scored twice and took the three points. “Jeffrey is a class defender and I was quite lucky. It was a fun game. And I’m happy with Stevens as coach.”

Edson Braafheid battled for Hoffenheim with Bayern Munich and Arjen Robben. Robben didn’t enjoy the afternoon. The defender, however, was quite proud: “I think I won it this time. I wanted to spend some time with Robben after the match but he didn’t come to the players’ home as he was pretty disappointed and didn’t want to mingle, haha.”

Robben’s feelings came from being injured again. Braafheid could put it in perspective. “I know Arjen well enough to know that it is his passion and his will to excel that turns into anger for being injured again. That’s how I know him.”

John Heitinga is a regular starter for Oranje but the Everton defender will not be part of the squad as a result of knee issues. There are several candidates for his spot. Jeffrey Bruma is modest but most likely the man for the job. The 19 year old defender plays weeks in a row on the center back spot. “I am sure I’m a candidate but it’s too early to say that I should get the job. There is a lot of competition.”

Bruma played a starter role against the Ukraine in the friendly last year. “I am learning so much still. Most players have much more experience than me and talk to me a lot about certain situations.”

Robben

Hedwiges Maduro is one of those players, but Maduro had to leave the trainings camp with injury. Van Marwijk called up Vlaar in his place. Before Maduro left, he did say something about his future. “I was getting annoyed with being ignored but the last weeks I’m getting a lot of playing time. This weekend against Granada, I got an applause substition, so I’m doing really well.”

Van Marwijk uses the former Ajax man as a defensive midfielder, but Maduro would like to be seen as a center back. “The trainer knows what I can do. It’s not like he’s never worked with me. I will trust his instincts.”

Another candidate is Khalid Boulahrouz, who had a very slow start at Stuttgart but who plays better and better every week, resulting in a goal and assist this weekend. Van Marwijk always believed in him but uses him normally as the stand in for Van der Wiel as right back.

Edson Braafheid can play center back as well but as Mathijsen is a left footer as well, it’s unlikely that Van Marwijk will pick another leftie for the center role. Braafheid: “Never say never. If there is a slight chance, I’ll grab it. I’m ready for it.”

Maduro

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Comments

Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 108 comments.

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By goose | October 7th, 2011 at 3:21 pm

my notes

Vorm; 6,5 – had nothing to do, difficult to rate

Bruma; 6 – looked confident enough, not really a test of course against this opponent

Mathijsen; 6 – did ok, no mistakes

Pieters; 6 – almost a 6,5 because he was the only one getting dome decent crosses in, esp. in the first half

vdWiel; 6 – looked ok on defense but his crosses are awful

Strootman; 6 – was ok , nothing special

vBommel; 7 – the best for me.. really controlled midfield

vdVaart; 4,5 – crap game, looked tired after 60 min. , did very few thing good

Kuijy; 5 – not a good game (again)..his crosses were awful

vPersie; 6 – worked pretty hard, a bit unlucky at times

Huntelaar; 6,5 – extra half point for scoring the goal

well; another crap game (of course its difficult to play against a team like Moldavia who defend with 11 guys on their own half) and another 3 points, a game better to be forgotten soon

Posted from Netherlands

By Sam | October 7th, 2011 at 3:25 pm

Team lacked energy…. mainly due to Robben, Sneijder and Afellay not playing.

vPersie was unlucky with his shot that hit the cross bar and it feels like sometimes he justs waits too long to pull the trigger on his shot.

Strootman and vBommel controlled midfield comfortably… I think possession was 85% to 15%. They should have won 4-0 minimum but again, they lacked energy. Felt like a practice game more than anything.

Posted from United States

By alberto | October 7th, 2011 at 3:28 pm

Netherlands had less flare and creativity than usual, because of robben and sneijder’s absence. Had like 80% possession or so, played 5-6 excellent first touch actions and could have easily got a couple more goals. Not convinced about van der vaart’s fitness, although he has great feet. Below par game but nothing to be worried about, Moldova was either a disgrace to football or just doing very well in defense, you choose how to call it.

By Petrovic | October 7th, 2011 at 3:30 pm

First,it was a bad game for Dutch standards.
But it wasnt unexpected.
I mean,Netherlands played 4-3-3 formation with 2 pretty slow wingers. It can work sometimes if you play dynamic,but that didnt happen today. And changes needed to be made,Elia should have come sooner.

Sometimes I think Van Marwijk just doesnt have the balls to do changes if the score is close. But you need to do changes if some things dont work.

By Vikram | October 7th, 2011 at 3:33 pm

This game shows how much Sneijder means to this team. The team looked rudderless and clueless even when they had ball posession 80% of the game. I just don’t see a place for Van der Vaart in this team. However it worries me that on a day against a good counter-attacking team with Snijder absent, we will be brutally exposed.

Posted from United States

By ferenc | October 7th, 2011 at 3:37 pm

sorry guys,but robben hasn’t played any euro 2012 qualification game yet. it was boring but i expected this kind of game.
i completely agree with Goose on vdv and his ratings are correct. i like vdv,but sneijder is far better.

Posted from Hungary

By Miguel Rosado | October 7th, 2011 at 4:06 pm

It was a practice game so don’t worry. I’d have liked Bert to play Wijnaldum and Elia at least 30 minutes!!!

Nigel on the bench? what do you guys think about that?

By SamDC | October 7th, 2011 at 4:09 pm

Just watched the game vs Moldova. Kinda disappointing. Moldova is one of those anti-football teams that just sits in the back and is prepared to defend the whole 90 mins. It’s becoming a catchy trend in international football.

Nobody really impressed from Oranje today.
Van Persie was ok. Sometimes I feel like he wants to be a midfielder. He wants to be involved in every offensive buildup.

Kuyt as usual was all over the place. Some good passes and some bad ones. If Robben and Affellay are fit, he should definitely not start as both of them can do a better job than him on the left or right side of the field.

Van der Wiel had a lot of chances to play forward but doesn’t possess that killer cross that can unlock defenses.

The other three defenders had absolutely nothing to do the whole game including the goalkeeper.

Elia made the game a bit more interesting. I dunno if he should start games or come in as a fast impact substitute.

Posted from United States

By Srinjoy | October 7th, 2011 at 4:11 pm

Babel should be ahead of Elia on current form…sometimes van Marwijk is too loyal..best line up for Sweden wud be..

Krul
Wiel
Bruma
Mathijsen
Braafheid
Strootman
Bommel
Kuyt
Wijnaldum
Elia
Hunter

Posted from Bosnia And Herzegovina

By Srinjoy | October 7th, 2011 at 4:12 pm

actually change strootman for VDV

Posted from Bosnia And Herzegovina

By ferenc | October 7th, 2011 at 4:13 pm

i prefer van bommel and strootman in the starting eleven,so for me it’s more than ok. better to have 2 technically gifted defensive midfielders on the pitch (especially against weeker teams) than one destroyer plus one more creative defensive midfielder. goals come from creativity and both van bommel and strootman are more creative than de jong. i also would have liked elia and wijnaldum in the last 30 minutes.

Posted from Hungary

By Jake | October 7th, 2011 at 4:18 pm

80-20% and Moldova didnt create any danger, why bvm didnt give time for youngsters, elia, wijnaldum, and lens should replace vaart, kuyt and bommel after 60′. We want to see 2 real wingers against a very defensive team. Im sure at least 2 more goals with these changes.

By X News | October 7th, 2011 at 4:47 pm

I think vdv will have no place in the dutch squad in WC 2014 if he continues like that
especially if afellay and wijnaldum become grown and more mature , who agrees ?

Posted from Kuwait

By Alberto | October 7th, 2011 at 4:51 pm

Guys I noted the stats on this site are terrible http://soccernet.espn.go.com/match?id=308562&cc=5739

They put possession only 51% to 49% ahahaha

By Jason | October 7th, 2011 at 4:52 pm

Alot of people are being harsh on the dutch team, Moldova spent 90 min with ten men in their own 18 yard box. Its pretty hard to score when a decent team (moldova) resorts to those type of tactics. They clearly didn’t want to lose bad, so to them a 1-0 is a victory.

Kuyt was busy but horrible. i don’t often think that but he was below par. VdV is not fit. Elia brought in some spark, I would have also liked to see Babel get a run out.

Posted from Canada

By hien | October 7th, 2011 at 5:23 pm

Positive note: BVM’s team so far manage to win ugly game 1-0. It may not matter but they win, not tie or sometimes lose.

By Jake | October 7th, 2011 at 5:24 pm

My teamfor next sweden game:
Krul
Weil-bruma-mathisen- pieters
Strootman- bommel
Wijnaldum-vaart-persie
Hunter

Posted from Australia

By X News | October 7th, 2011 at 5:34 pm

Krul ,
bruma , mathijsen
weil , pieters
bommel , strootman
persie , wijnaldum , elia
hunter

Posted from Kuwait

By SamDC | October 7th, 2011 at 5:48 pm

More player performance ratings

http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/56721/netherlands-vs-moldova/player-ratings

Oranje has qualified and won the group also. Time to give a chance to the younger players and rest the veterans. Van Persie should definitely go back to Arsenal. He gets injured easily and don’t want to see him risk it in a game of less importance.

Posted from United States

By van den Berg | October 7th, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Ibrahimovic is suspended for the next game. Will Sweden take it easy, knowing they have nothing to gain? Will they be going for the win, for pride?

By Richard | October 7th, 2011 at 9:25 pm

VDV has always been overrated, in my view. A creative player with nice technical skills, but never an exceptional player. Not strong enough, not athletic enough. Give some of the younger guys some PT against sweden.

By Marc | October 7th, 2011 at 9:50 pm

This was more of a win the match and move on kind of game than let’s win 8-0 with 30 shots on goal. We wanted to win comfortably and we did… no injuries, and we did not move past 1st gear in the whole game, so it was a success.

By Jake | October 7th, 2011 at 10:04 pm

Watched n de jong sitting on the bench, didnt look too happy, is he fit? It looks he now become no3 after bommel and strootman. Anyway anyone should be happy whoever play and put the team first. Spain has no problem switching players everygame, last night mata and torres played instead of vila.

Posted from Australia

By Sol | October 8th, 2011 at 8:08 am

Hats off too Moldova. Right from the start I noticed that they were very well positioned and organized defensively, especially in the middle of the park. I’d say they were better defensively than Finland. Finland was a different game, more of a mental issue that that one turned out to be difficult. This one was more of a tactical issue I think, some work to do for vMarwijk me thinks…

I’m not sure what’s missing, but i compare these kind of games to the games we had with Italy and France in 2008, because they went in with a defensive attitude and our ability to brake open static crowded defences seemed a bit better back then, but then again, those games are too different. Moldova didn’t abandon their defensive positions after the 1-0 for example, just like our last game against them, and just as against Finland and a couple of other tough matches we’ve had during thess qualifiers. So I probably shouldn’t be compairing these difficult matches we’ve had lately with those matches i mentioned in 2008.

But still, somehow it feels we’re missing something in our attacking tactics lately (San Marino was just too easy, an open defence, against Sweden we did better, maybe we should compare that game to this one, and see what we could have done different). It may also just be because we’re missing Robben for so long now, that could make the difference (especially in this game were the middle was so crowded).

Posted from Netherlands

By ferenc | October 8th, 2011 at 9:05 am

in my opinion nothing is missing,it was almost a friendly game,one point was enough,oranje controlled the game but didn’t want to play at 100 %. players don’t risk injuries,the season is long,etc. we cannot expect the same mentality against moldova in a almost finished qualification campaign than against brazil in a world cup quarter finals.
i’m satisfied. the 80-20 possession says everything,moldova didn’t have any chance,if oranje had wanted to score 5 goals they would have scored 5. but it wasn’t necessary. on the other hand,oranje is not the same without sneijder – his influence is immense,he’s the brain,the creator.

Posted from Hungary

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