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Van Basten turns to Velthuizen
By Berend Scholten
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Marco van Basten has named his squad to face
Austria (¿Getty Images)
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Netherlands coach Marco van Basten has called up BV Vitesse
goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen for the first time for the friendly against
Austria in Vienna next Wednesday. Clarence Seedorf, Andre Ooijer and Robin
van Persie all return to the squad after recovering from injuries.
Goalkeeper shortage
Van Basten is without regular first-choice goalkeepers Edwin van der Sar,
who has a groin injury, and Maarten Stekelenburg, because of personal
reasons, for the match at the Ernst Happel Stadium leaving the 21-year-old
Velthuizen in the running for a debut cap. More likely however is that
36-year-old Henk Timmer will make his fifth international appearance.
"It would be logical that Henk Timmer will start, and also end the
match," said Van Basten. "I spoke with Edwin and told him he
first has to fully focus on his return at Manchester United."
Trio return
The Dutch were 3-0 winners in their previous warm-up game for UEFA EURO
2008T against Croatia last month and are reinforced by the additions of
Seedorf, Ooijer and Van Persie. The Arsenal FC forward returns after a
five-month absense with knee and hamstring injuries in time to replace
Ruud van Nistelrooy who misses out following surgery on his right ankle.
Van Nistelrooy out
"The situation with Ruud is clear," explained Van Basten about
the Real Madrid CF striker. "He underwent surgery and will not be
available for the next few weeks. Hopefully he will recovery in time [for
UEFA EURO 2008T]." Meanwhile, Liverpool FC forward Dirk Kuyt and
Van Nistelrooy's Madrid team-mate Arjen Robben are both omitted.
Robben patience
"A fit Robben is a reinforcement for our squad, but he has a longer
injury history than Van Persie and it is better that he fully recovers
first. We have to have patience with him. As for Kuyt, at the moment we
have better players in his position," continued Van Basten, who admitted
he already has his squad for Austria and Switzerland in mind. The Netherlands
feature in Group C this summer alongside Italy, France and Romania, starting
against the Italians on 9 June.
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Henk Timmer (Feyenoord), Piet Velthuizen (BV Vitesse).
Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Tim de Cler (Feyenoord),
Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), Johnny Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Joris Mathijsen
(Hamburger SV), Mario Melchiot (Wigan Athletic FC ), Andre Ooijer (Blackburn
Rovers FC).
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Giovanni van Bronckhorst
(Feyenoord), Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Denny Landzaat (Feyenoord),
Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid CF), Rafael
van der Vaart (Hamburger SV) and Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Liverpool FC), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax),
Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic FC).
Euro2008.uefa.com,
21 March 2008
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