Netherlands
Group C | World ranking: 3 Coach: Marco van Basten
Key Players: Arjen Robben (midfielder), Ruud van Nistelrooy (forward), Dirk Kuyt (forward)
Past Record: Finalists in 1974 and 1978; Semifinalists in 1998 Group C Results:
June 11: Serbia & Montenegro (1-0 | Report)
June 16: Ivory Coast (2-1 | Report)
June 21: Argentina (0-0 | Report) Knockout Stages:
June 25: Portugal (0-1 | Report) Group Summary:
Emerging unbeaten and unscathed from the so-called "Group of Death," the Dutch have been playing characteristically neat football with Arjen Robben providing their most potent attacking force in tight wins over Serbia and Montenegro and Ivory Coast. A goalless sparring session with Argentina suggested two teams looking to save themselves for the later stages of the tournament, although the Netherlands's second place finish on goal difference pitches them into a tough second round encounter with the similarly-talented Portuguese. Pre-Tournament Preview:
The Dutch have made a habit of coming up short on the biggest stage of all. As usual, the Oranje are not short on talent, but question marks remain over temperament and application. In the past rifts and divisions in the squad have damaged Dutch chances at major finals. Still, they eased through qualifying without drama and will be confident of advancing even from a group as tight as this. And, if history counts for anything, they will be back in Germany, where the Netherlands won their only international honor at the 1998 European Championship with the team spearheaded by current coach Marco van Basten and where, in 1974, Johan Cruyff and his teammates first unleashed "total football" on the world. SquadGoalkeepers:
1. Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)
22. Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)
23. Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam) Defenders:
2. Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar)
3. Khalid Boulahrouz (SV Hamburg)
4. Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar)
5. Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona)
12. Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool)
13. Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven)
14. John Heitinga (Ajax Amsterdam)
15. Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar) Midfielders:
6. Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar)
8. Philip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven)
10. Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg)
16. Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax Amsterdam)
18. Mark van Bommel (Barcelona)
20. Wesley Sneijder (Ajax Amsterdam) Forwards:
7. Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord)
9. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)
11. Arjen Robben (Chelsea)
17. Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
19. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)
21. Ryan Babel (Ajax Amsterdam)
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