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Holland Comment: John Heitinga A Certainty At Centre-Back, Andre Ooijer Doubtful For World Cup Squad
The friendly against USA once again confirmed that John Heitinga is the right man for Oranje at centre-back, while Andre Ooijer could very well miss out on the World Cup...
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Mar 4, 2010 5:53:00 PM
By Stefan Coerts
Wednesday's match between Holland and USA once again proved that the Dutch are not exactly the most inspired footballers when it comes to playing international friendlies.
Oranje never really got things going against the Americans, but still managed to record a 2-1 home win. National team coach Bert van Marwijk will be quite satisfied to see his men return to winning ways though after three consecutive scoreless draws, while the tactician learned some valuable lessons as well.
First of all, Van Marwijk will be delighted with another solid performance from his back-line. The Dutch are not exactly known for their impressive defensive performances, but Oranje have conceded only one goal in their last six official matches.
Whereas Gregory van der Wiel, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Joris Mathijsen all appear to be certainties at the back in Holland's starting XI at the World Cup, the fourth spot is still up for grabs.
PSV defender Andre Ooijer played as the second centre-back in the majority of Oranje's World Cup qualifiers, but the veteran defender is no longer an undisputed member of the Dutch squad. The 35-year-old has lost his starting berth at club level and this hasn't gone unnoticed by Van Marwijk.
There's little doubt about it that Ooijer is past his prime and his experience alone is no longer enough to secure a spot in Holland's World Cup squad. The former Blackburn Rovers' defender's lack of speed could cost the Dutch in South Africa and better alternatives have arisen in the past couple of months.
Currently sitting in pole position to replace Ooijer in the Dutch defence is Everton defender John Heitinga. The former Ajax and Atletico Madrid man has been in great form for the Toffees this season and plays against some of the best strikers in the world on a weekly basis. Heitinga is not only a strong marker and a great aerial force, he also adds something to Oranje's build-up play with his outstanding passing skills.
The match against USA once again confirmed that Heitinga is the best option to partner Mathijsen in Holland's back-line at the moment. The 26-year-old was never really troubled by Jozy Altidore and Robbie Findley and hardly set a foot wrong during the game.
To make things even worse for Ooijer, Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar was quite solid as well after coming off the bench at half-time. The former AZ star has returned to his best form this season and I'd be surprised if Van Marwijk didn't include Vlaar in his World Cup squad.
The Holland gaffer recently already revealed that Ooijer needs regular first team action at PSV if he is to make it to South Africa this summer and the defender can only hope that he gets more playing time in the upcoming weeks.
On to the midfield, where Van Marwijk will be far from happy with what he saw around the half hour mark. Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong ended Stuart Holden's game with a reckless and completely unnecessary tackle in midfield. De Jong was shown a yellow card for his action and was lucky not to receive his marching orders.
What's even more worrying is that it isn't the first time that De Jong has committed some reckless tackles. The 25-year-old previously executed a similar tackle in the international friendly against Japan and it looks like De Jong hasn't learned from his mistake back then.
The former Hamburger SV midfielder revealed after the match that he crossed the line with his action and that he never had the intention to hurt Holden. De Jong added that things like that wouldn't happen to him at the World Cup. However, Van Marwijk was not amused and rightly so.
Tackles like De Jong's are not only extremely dangerous for your opponent, but there's also little doubt about it that they won't be accepted by the referees at this summer's World Cup. Holland can't take the risk of ending a game with ten men in South Africa and De Jong needs to be told that his behaviour is totally unacceptable.
Finally, Dirk Kuyt once again illustrated that he's not the right man to fill in the striker position in Holland's 4-2-3-1 formation. The 29-year-old could be a very useful addition to Oranje when fielded as right winger or used as a forward in a 4-4-2 formation. However, the Liverpool man looked like he played as a striker for the first time in his career and showed some horrible positioning.
Some will say that Kuyt still managed to add his name to the score sheet, but we shouldn't forget that it was only a converted spot kick that opened the scoring.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's entrance after the interval was a huge improvement for the Dutch and Van Marwijk will have realised after Wednesday's game that 'the Hunter' and Robin van Persie are his only two legitimate options for the striker position.
Oranje never really got things going against the Americans, but still managed to record a 2-1 home win. National team coach Bert van Marwijk will be quite satisfied to see his men return to winning ways though after three consecutive scoreless draws, while the tactician learned some valuable lessons as well.
First of all, Van Marwijk will be delighted with another solid performance from his back-line. The Dutch are not exactly known for their impressive defensive performances, but Oranje have conceded only one goal in their last six official matches.
Whereas Gregory van der Wiel, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Joris Mathijsen all appear to be certainties at the back in Holland's starting XI at the World Cup, the fourth spot is still up for grabs.
PSV defender Andre Ooijer played as the second centre-back in the majority of Oranje's World Cup qualifiers, but the veteran defender is no longer an undisputed member of the Dutch squad. The 35-year-old has lost his starting berth at club level and this hasn't gone unnoticed by Van Marwijk.
There's little doubt about it that Ooijer is past his prime and his experience alone is no longer enough to secure a spot in Holland's World Cup squad. The former Blackburn Rovers' defender's lack of speed could cost the Dutch in South Africa and better alternatives have arisen in the past couple of months.
Currently sitting in pole position to replace Ooijer in the Dutch defence is Everton defender John Heitinga. The former Ajax and Atletico Madrid man has been in great form for the Toffees this season and plays against some of the best strikers in the world on a weekly basis. Heitinga is not only a strong marker and a great aerial force, he also adds something to Oranje's build-up play with his outstanding passing skills.
The match against USA once again confirmed that Heitinga is the best option to partner Mathijsen in Holland's back-line at the moment. The 26-year-old was never really troubled by Jozy Altidore and Robbie Findley and hardly set a foot wrong during the game.
To make things even worse for Ooijer, Feyenoord defender Ron Vlaar was quite solid as well after coming off the bench at half-time. The former AZ star has returned to his best form this season and I'd be surprised if Van Marwijk didn't include Vlaar in his World Cup squad.
The Holland gaffer recently already revealed that Ooijer needs regular first team action at PSV if he is to make it to South Africa this summer and the defender can only hope that he gets more playing time in the upcoming weeks.
On to the midfield, where Van Marwijk will be far from happy with what he saw around the half hour mark. Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong ended Stuart Holden's game with a reckless and completely unnecessary tackle in midfield. De Jong was shown a yellow card for his action and was lucky not to receive his marching orders.
What's even more worrying is that it isn't the first time that De Jong has committed some reckless tackles. The 25-year-old previously executed a similar tackle in the international friendly against Japan and it looks like De Jong hasn't learned from his mistake back then.
The former Hamburger SV midfielder revealed after the match that he crossed the line with his action and that he never had the intention to hurt Holden. De Jong added that things like that wouldn't happen to him at the World Cup. However, Van Marwijk was not amused and rightly so.
Tackles like De Jong's are not only extremely dangerous for your opponent, but there's also little doubt about it that they won't be accepted by the referees at this summer's World Cup. Holland can't take the risk of ending a game with ten men in South Africa and De Jong needs to be told that his behaviour is totally unacceptable.
Finally, Dirk Kuyt once again illustrated that he's not the right man to fill in the striker position in Holland's 4-2-3-1 formation. The 29-year-old could be a very useful addition to Oranje when fielded as right winger or used as a forward in a 4-4-2 formation. However, the Liverpool man looked like he played as a striker for the first time in his career and showed some horrible positioning.
Some will say that Kuyt still managed to add his name to the score sheet, but we shouldn't forget that it was only a converted spot kick that opened the scoring.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's entrance after the interval was a huge improvement for the Dutch and Van Marwijk will have realised after Wednesday's game that 'the Hunter' and Robin van Persie are his only two legitimate options for the striker position.
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