The Netherlands were the first European team to qualify for 2010 World Cup. This is the Netherlands squad I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa next June and July.
First 11
GK. Edwin van der Sar captain, Club- Manchester United, Age at World Cup (AWC) 39. Has won the Champions League twice, once with Ajax and once with Manchester Untied.
RB. Khalid Boulahrouz, Club- Stuttgart, (AWC) 28. Is nicknamed the 'Khalid the Cannibal' for his physical approach.
CB. John Heitinga, Club- Atletico Madrid, (AWC) 26. Has already played at one World Cup and two European championships.
CB. Joris Mathijsen, Club- Hamburger SV, (AWC) 30. Can also play as a left back.
LB. Edson Braafheid, Club- FC Bayern Munich, (AWC) 27.
CDM. Mark van Bommel, Club- Bayern Munich, (AWC) 33. Is the son in law of of the current Dutch national team manager.
RM. Dirk Kuyt, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 29. Kuyt is not your typical Dutch player, with his most noticed attributes being his work rate and endurance.
LW. Arjen Robben, Club- Bayern Munich, (AWC) 26. Has won the Dutch league title, English league title (twice) and the Spanish league title.
CAM. Wesley Sneijder, Club- Inter Milan, (AWC) 26. Sneijder is part of a strong football family, his father was a player, his older brother played in the Dutch league and his younger brother is in the Ajax youth academy.
ST. Ruud van Nistelrooy, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 33. Is currently the second highest goalscorer in Champions league history, and has been a top goalscorer in three different European domestic leagues.
ST. Robin van Persie, Club- Arsenal, (AWC) 26. Can also play as a left winger.
Subs
GK. Maarten Stekelenburg, Club- Ajax, (AWC) 27. In a friendly against Australia Stekelenburg was sent off, he become the first goalkeeper of the Dutch national team to ever receive a red card.
GK. Michel Vorm, Club- FC Utrecht, (AWC) 26. In 2006 he was a member of the Netherlands squad that won the UEFA Under-21 Championship.
RB. Gregory van der Wiel, Club- Ajax, (AWC) 22.
CB. Andre Ooijer, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 35. Won the Eredivisie title fives times in his first spell with PSV Eindhoven.
CB. Dirk Marcellis, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 22. Is said to have the potential to fill the hole in the Dutch defence left by the retired Japp Stam.
LB. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Club- Feyenoord, (AWC) 35. Has already played in two World Cups (1998, 2006), and three European Championships (2000,2004,2008).
CDM. Nigel de Jong, Club- Manchester City, (AWC) 25. Is the son of former Dutch football international Jerry de Jong.
RW. Romeo Castelen, Club- Hamburger SV, (AWC) 27.
LW. Ryan Babel, Club- Liverpool, (AWC) 23. Can also play as a striker.
CAM. Rafael van der Vaart, Club- Real Madrid, (AWC) 27. Has already earned 68 caps for the national team.
FOW. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Club- AC Milan, (AWC) 26.
FOW. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Club- Hull, (AWC) 31. After making his international debut 2000 he did not score his first goal for Holland until 2007.
The Coach
The Netherlands is the first international team Bert van Marwijk has coached. Previously he has coached various club sides in the Netherlands including Feyenoord, who he won the UEFA Cup with in 2002. Bert van Marwijk has also coached German club Borussia Dortmund.
The Netherlands strengths
The Netherlands are one of the best national teams in the world, the main reason for this is their quality midfielders and forwards.
The Netherlands weakness
Although good players the Netherlands defenders are not of the same quality individually or as group of the midfielders or forwards. Also if Edwin van der Sar stays internationally retired the other Netherlands goalkeepers have yet to prove the quality on the international stage. Lack of depth on the right side of midfield is also a problem, other then Dirk Kuyt who was converted to a right mid by his club, the Netherlands don't have many options for that position.
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