Louis van Gaal to rest Robin van Persie for Andorra game

Oct 10, 2012 6:45:00 PM

The Oranje coach admits that he will use Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ahead of the 29-year-old and confirmed Kevin Strootman as captain ahead of games against Andorra and Romania

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has admitted he is likely to use Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ahead of Robin van Persie for their upcoming World Cup qualifying game against Andorra.

The Dutch entertain the Andorrans at De Kuip Stadion on Friday night, and the former Bayern Munich boss has said he looking to use the Schalke striker rather than the Manchester United star.

“We're expecting to enter the box a lot, in matches like that you can expect Klaas-Jan will play,” Van Gaal told Goal.com.

The Oranje trainer also stated he did not see Van Persie thriving in any other role than as a central striker so is therefore unlikely to start.

“I see him [Van Persie] as a striker and won't put him on another position so fast.”

Van Gaal also said explained his decision to name PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman as his captain.

“Strootman is an example, on and off the pitch, especially inside the lines. Off the pitch he has to learn quites some things, like speaking up. As a captain you have to be able to do that.

“That has to do with character, but you can also learn this. Maybe that's his weakness. On the pitch you see that he stands up for his team, outside the pitch this can improve."

“The fact that [Wesley] Sneijder is from the new generation and [Dirk] Kuyt is from the old generation made this decision. I needed someone from the youngest generation.

“You can see it as an education to become a captain."

Following the Andorra game, Netherlands travel to Romania next Tuesday.

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