The 2010 World Cup will be the Netherlands’ ninth appearance in a World Cup tournament, and as they head to South Africa the side will hope to win their first ever World Champion title, with what is arguably their best squad in years. They have made no effort to conceal their high ambitions for their 2010 World Cup tournament, and with a deeply talented squad will give the favourites a run for their money.
Holland have made no effort to conceal their high ambitions, and with a deeply talented squad will give the favourites a run for their money.
Holland did not drop a single point in the eight games it took them to secure a spot in South Africa, and with the appointment of Bert Van Marwijk results have so far been picture perfect – it is all about how long the 100 per cent record will last. During the matches, they managed to keep a clean sheet in six fixtures, letting in two goals the entire time – one against Iceland and another against FYR Macedonia.
Drawn in Group E, Holland will play Denmark, Japan, and Cameroon in the group stage, as all nations vie for a spot in the next round. Cameroon and the fellow Europeans will give the Dutch the biggest test, while if all goes according to the statistics, Holland will most likely face Paraguay in the round of 16.
Holland travel to South Africa having made the final of the world cup twice before-and unlike their predecessors, this squad certainly want to go the whole way.
Netherlands’ Group E Schedule
No. |
Date |
Match |
Location |
Kick-Off (Local) |
Kick-Off (AEST) |
| 9 | 14.06.10 | Netherlands V Denmark | Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg | 13.30 | 21.30 |
| 25 | 19.06.10 | Netherlands V Japan | Durban Stadium, Durban | 13.30 | 21.30 |
| 44 | 24.06.10 | Cameroon V Netherlands | Green Point Stadium, Cape Town | 20.30 | 04.30 (25.06.10) |
KEY PLAYERS:
GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST (CAPTAIN)
Born: 05.02.1975 in Rotterdam, Holland
Height: 1.78 metres
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Club: Feyenoord, Eredivisie
International Debut: August 1996
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is heading to South Africa as one of the more experienced players on the Dutch team. He has represented his nation in two World Cups – 1998 & 2006, and three European Championships – 2000, 2004 & 2008, and boasts over 90 caps for the Netherlands national team. As part of one of the strongest defences in the qualification campaign, and with hopes lying on the shoulders of the current Oranje, Van Bronckhorst will certainly lead by example.
WESLEY SNEIJDER
Born: 09.06.1987 in Utrecht, Holland
Height: 1.70 metres
Position: Midfielder
Club: Inter Milan, Serie A
International Debut: Vs Portugal (30.04.2003)
Wesley Sneijder is now a permanent fixture in the Dutch starting 11, and provokes fear for those he plays against, and understandably as his skill on the ball is undeniable. The youngster has played in two European Championships – in 2004 & 2008, and the 2006 World Cup, and was named in the Team of the Tournament for Euro 2008 despite the Dutch crashing out in the quarterfinals.
ARJEN ROBBEN
Born: 23.01.1984 in Bedum, Holland
Height: 1.83 metres
Position: Forward
Club: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga
International Debut: Vs Czech Republic (2004)
Arjen Robben has the same international experience as Sneijder, with the duo both attending the same tournament with the Dutch national side since 2004. Robben is coming into the 2010 World Cup after a fantastic season for his domestic side being named Footballer of the Year for 2010 in Germany, and will look to bring his goal scoring and creating ability on to the world stage in South Africa.
NETHERLAND SQUAD
Position |
Name |
| Coach | Bert VAN MARWIJK |
| Goalkeepers | Sander BOSCHKER |
| Maarten STEKELENBURG | |
| Michael VORM | |
| Defenders | Vurnon ANITA |
| Khalid BOULAHROUZ | |
| Edson BRAAFHEID | |
| John HEITINGA | |
| Joris MATHIJSEN | |
| Andre OOIJER | |
| Giovanni VAN BRONCKHORST | |
| Gregory VAN DER WIEL | |
| Ron VLAAR | |
| Midfielders | Ibrahim AFELLAY |
| Ryan BABEL | |
| Otman BAKKAL | |
| Wout BRAMA | |
| Nigel DE JONG | |
| Demy DE ZEEUW | |
| Orlando ENGELAAR | |
| Dirk KUYT | |
| David MENDES DA SILVA | |
| Stijn SCHAARS | |
| Wesley SNEIJDER | |
| Mark VAN BOMMEL | |
| Rafael VAN DER VAART | |
| Forwards | Elijero ELIA |
| Klass-Jan HUNTELAAR | |
| Jeremain LENS | |
| Arjen ROBBEN | |
| Robin VAN PERSIE |
ARJEN ROBBEN
Born: 23.01.1984 in Bedum, Holland
Height: 1.83 metres
Position: Forward
Club: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga
International Debut: Vs Czech Republic (2004)
Arjen Robben has the same international experience as Sneijder, with the duo both attending the same tournament with the Dutch national side since 2004. Robben is coming into the 2010 World Cup after a fantastic season for his domestic side being named Footballer of the Year for 2010 in Germany, and will look to bring his goal scoring and creating ability on to the world stage in South Africa.
