November 14, 2012 - Netherlands vs Germany (Friendly) P/I/P Match Thread

VS

Netherlands Selection:

*not currently in the selection due to injury, but will be called up if ready

Goalkeepers:
Kenneth Vermeer Ajax
Maarten Stekelenburg* Roma
Tim Krul Newcastle
Defenders:
John Heitinga Everton
Ricardo van Rhijn Ajax
Ron Vlaar Aston Villa
Jetro Willems PSV
Bruno Martins Indi Feyenoord
Daryl Janmaat Feyenoord
Joris Mathijsen Feyenoord
Midfielders
Ibrahim Afellay Schalke
Urby Emanuelson AC Milan
Marco van Ginkel Vitesse
Kevin Strootman* PSV
Rafael van der Vaart Hamburg
Nigel de Jong AC Milan
Attackers:
Luciano Narsingh* PSV
Eljero Elia Werder Bremen
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Schalke
Dirk Kuyt Fenerbahce
Jeremain Lens* PSV
Robin van Persie
Manchester United
Arjen Robben
Bayern Munich

Sigh, getting tired of those Germans. Guess the KNVB aren't rich enough yet, hence these horrible, worthless friendlies.

Not so much tired of German NT (though we play them often these days), but more tired the camera people pulling a Moratti every time on Angela Merkel and her emotional reach. Some Germans agree with me:




The worst case is of course Moratti from Inter Milan. I have stopped watching Wesley Sneijder at Inter because I got more time to study Moratti's face during game time than the match and the players on the field. That and the fact Sneijder has been injured for 2 years more or less, while his fit periods could not change Inter looking like a bad joke of a team.

Inter now starts to look better by the way.

Marco van Ginkel in the final selection. Can't say I have not seen this one coming, though this is pretty soon. Had expected it within a year. Van Gaal is a real rejuvenator. Don't think that is a word, but now it is. The exclusion of Clasie is a pity, but understandable. Not going though his best times. I felt he was getting back a bit from dipping for club, but he probably would not play anyway with Nigel having a MOTM performance against Romania.

You guys again

Hopefully it will be entertaining and injury free.....
Care more about the BL and CL campaign ATM

Final selection:


Keepers:

1. Tim Krul (Newcastle United),
2. Kenneth Vermeer (Ajax),
3. Jeroen Zoet (RKC Waalwijk)

Defense:

1. John Heitinga (Everton),
2. Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord),
3. Bruno Martins Indi (Feyenoord),
4. Joris Mathijsen (Feyenoord),
5. Ricardo van Rhijn (Ajax),
6. Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa),
7. Stefan de Vrij (Feyenoord),
8. Jetro Willems (PSV)

Midfield:

1. Ibrahim Afellay (Schalke 04),
2. Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord),
3. Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan),
4. Marco van Ginkel (Vitesse),
5. Nigel de Jong (AC Milan),
6. Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV)

Attack:

1. Eljero Elia (Werder Bremen),
2. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04),
3. Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahçe),
4. Bas Dost (VfL Wolfsburg),
5. Ruben Schaken (Feyenoord)
6. Arjen Robben (Bayern München).

Thank goodness no Van Persie. He's been in sizzling form, but he can use a day or two for rest, especially entering in to a busy holiday season. Excited to see Van Ginkel and De Vrij getting some proper runs...

---------Huntelaar
Robben--------------Afellay
-----Sneijder---Van der Vaart
------------De Jong
Indi--De Vrij--Heitinga-Van Rhijn
-----------Krul

Would be my choice. I'd pick Clasie over De Jong, but from what I hear Clasie hasn't been playing great lately.

Sneijder isn't called up. Looks like we'll see one of Afellay, van Ginkel, Urby, or Clasie next to VdV. What I really fear is LvG playing Schaken at RW again. Rather have Kuyt there, or like in your lineup, play Afellay (who I think will play in midfield) at RW and play Urby or Clasie at RM.

Hopefully Huntelaar seizes his opportunity. This may be his last chance to claim the spot

I think Clasie could play next to VdV, he has those great through balls as well.

A lot of our starters are pulling out of this one.. Seems like similar thing is happening to you guys..
This may not be the serious friendly it was made out to be originally..

I guess this will most likely be the new starters game.

These friendlies are a waste of time and dangerous in that players might get injured. Both countries would be better off starting youth players which would make for a more entertaining match. Nothing can be proved from such matches.

Why are we even playing Germany? It's as if we're purposely trying to embarrass ourselves on the world stage (the game is live on ESPN2).

We want to challenge our players. There is no reason to play another San Marino because our team won't get anything out of it. Van Gaal (and myself) probably wants to see what this team is capable of. Germany is a world class team that will undoubtedly be a challenge, and they are close enough to minimize travel distance to decrease fatigue.

Because when that state of mind is installed in a team, they can not become world champs. Besides, when risking a sore ego is holding you back to compete with the best teams out there, you can better quit the game. Losing leads to pain, which leads to motivation to accelerate improvement. Winning tells us we are on the right track and further builds our self believe as we are a young team.

Also Netherlands is the only country together with Russia to have won all points from the games played in qualification. Russia has a GD of 8, but we have one of 11. We are again the best performers at this stage in qualification of all Euro teams. We need a new challenge to stay sharp.

Starting XI according to De Telegraaf: Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Heitinga, Vlaar, Martins Indi; De Jong, Afellay, Van der Vaart; Schaken, Kuyt en Robben.

I was afraid that Schaken would start. Kuyt at striker,eh? At the very least it should be interesting

Are you guys fielding your regular starting 11 for this game?

Who is missing besides RVP? What about hunt?

^see Quackmore's post above. It has the starting 11 listed.

VI is claiming a starting XI of:

Well that's a whole let better than what Quakmore just posted... got a little scared there for a bit. Van Ginkel starting should be a nice little change. starting Kuyt doesn't necessarily make too much sense but whatever.

I don't understand why Vlaar is getting the preferential treatment. It's not like he's a stud. Nor that he is getting any better. He, and Aston Villa, have not been all that impressive, defensively speaking. True, Vlaar hasn't committed major mistakes in Oranje shirt (although I can recall a handful of dodgy moments in the past), but let's face it, he will never be the answer. Stiff, slow, soft. It's better off testing new faces at his expense. Martins Indi should play at center. De Vrij should be considered. Douglas should have been called up. Options are available, why not test them?

I follow Vlaar pretty closely and I have to say that he has done a proper job at Villa so far. Had a few sub par games, but for the rest he stood out as one of the better guys. He has already won so much trust that he is appointed as captain. That responsibility was given him in a matter of weeks. Against Romania he was also good in some eyes and at the Euro another coach choose him over Heitinga against Portugal. So his rise already started before van Gaal took over. Therefor I have to say that I don't think Vlaar is getting any preferential treatment. He is just winning the internal competition.

That he is not the long term solution I could not agree more with. These kind of defenders are not NT material. We need defenders that bring much more football. De Vrij would be a prime candidate, but a ruthless defender he is not. I hope de Vrij becomes complete.

• Sneijder is missing on midfield
• Narsingh on the right wing
• Lens is missing as a forward (in rightwing/striker position)
• Strootman is missing on midfield.

Looking at the posted starting lineup's

• Krul is maybe not starting
• Huntelaar stays on the bench