Young Dutch team out to regain lost glory at FIFA World Cup
Dutch World Cup coach Marco van Basten opted
for a youthful look when he announced his final squaud for the FIFA World Cup finals in Germany on Sunday.
As expected, veterans Edgar Davids, Clarence Seedorf and Roy Makaay, who had already been left out of a provisional squad of 28 a week ago, failed to make it into the final 23-man party. But there was also disappointment for Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng, Feyenoord striker Romeo Castelan, Hamburg midfielder Nigel de Jong, Ajax forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and AZ Alkmaar defender Barry Opdam who were all cut from the 28.
Despite the exodus of top Dutch stars to the big European leagues of England, Spain and Italy, Van Basten selected 14 Dutch-based players with Ajax and Alkmaar supplying five each, although only three came from champions PSV Eindhoven, and one from Feyenoord.
Five more ply their trade in the English Premiership, including out-of-favour Manchester United hit-man Ruud van Nistelrooy, with two playing at Barcelona in Spain and two in Germany, both at Hamburg.
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/ENG), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax) and Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (SV Hamburg/GER), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona/ESP), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool/ENG), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), André Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax)
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Barcelona/ESP), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) and Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg/GER)
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Dirk Kuijt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United/ENG), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/ENG), Arjen Robben (Chelsea/ENG) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)
World Cup Betting Odds: Sports Interaction
World Cup Betting Tips: Looking for a longshot? BET on the Dutch team.
