Rejuvenated Dutch side keen to restore glory
11/6/2006 10:52
A new-look Dutch team will find how penetrating their youngsters could
be when they meets newcomers Serbia Serbia and Montenegro in their 2006 World
Cup opener on Sunday.
Marco Van Basten's 23-man lineup consists mainly of
World Cup debutants as only goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar, Philip Cocu, and
Giovanni van Bronckhorst have remained from the 1998 squad in France.
While
many worried that the lack of experience could be a death-wound considering the
demanding nature of a World Cup, the Dutches were self-confident.
"We had a
good preparation with many new players," Van der Sar recently told a news
conference, "We have a group of young players but they are very mature in
playing the game we want to."
"This is a different set up than we had eight
years ago but you have to start playing a World Cup at some time," said the
Manchester United keeper.
After finishing fourth at the 1998 world cup, the
Netherlands failed to reach Asia's first finals. It was a devastating blow for a
nation rich in football tradition and sumptuous talent, and a memory they were
keen to erase in Germany.
Van Basten, taking the reins in July 2004, started
the Dutch renaissance campaign by ditching many of the older generation.
Suddenly big names like Patrick Kluivert and Clarence Seedorf were out of the
picture.
What he is building is an exciting rejuvenated side with the
emphasis very much on attractive attacking football reminiscent of the classy
side he was part of in his era.
The policy was rewarded when the Dutch topped
the group to qualify for the 2006 tournament, without losing a game
throughout.
But in the finals, the "Death of Group" would be their real test,
kicking off with the Serbians match.
For the Serbians, qualifying as winners
in a group that consisted of Spain and Belgium is quite some achievement for
this underrated nation and they will not easily surrender.
Van Basten will
look to terrific Ruud van Nistelrooy up in the front, with Arjen Robben and
Robin van Persie expected to support him on the flanks.
While Serbians' solid
foundation at the back, which only let in one goal during qualification, could
shut off any penetration, they would sorely miss suspended central defender
Vidic.
History also stands by the Netherlands' side. Although it will be the
two nations' first ever head-to-head, Netherlands won all five of the most
recent matches against Yugoslavia, including a 6-1 thrashing at the 2000
European Championships.
Vidic, however, boldly predicted that the Serbians
could win the biggest prize in their first-ever World Cup journey.
Asked if
they could match the exploits of neighbours Croatia who reached the semi-finals
at the 1998 championships, he said he had a vision of emulating Greece's
shocking victory in the 2004 Euro.
"No offence to the great achievements of
the Croatians in France, but we want to win the tournament, not finish third,"
he said.
The stylish Manchester United defender also promised they would play
attacking football instead of only being a defensive side.
"We have
tremendous quality in defence but people must remember that we have strong
attackers as well, like (Mateja) Kezman and (Savo) Milosevic."
"The way we
look at defence is that it is the place where our attack begins. I deeply
believe that during this World Cup we will show that we not only have a strong
defence but also a good attack, and I think we will score many goals to prove
it."
Xinhua
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