The Everton defender has insisted that the stiff competition for a starting place in the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233 centre-back, who received his first call-up for the Oranje.
FC Twente Enschede centre-back, Douglas, has been performing consistently for the past couple of seasons. His dependable showings at De Grolsch Veste convinced the Netherlands head coach, Louis van Gaal, to include him in his 20 man squad for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/John-Heitinga-c18862, was all praise for the Brazilian-born Dutch stopper, and admitted that he will certainly represent the Oranje should he convinces Van Gaal with his performances.
“http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Douglas-c11600 is a strong defender and a tall guy. He has a Dutch passport, and if the coach thinks he's ready to play for Oranje, he can feature. He has to prove his worth just like any other player”, Heitinga was quoted as saying to Goal.com.
The 28-year-old defender, who was a regular starter for the Flying Dutchmen under the tutelage of Bert van Marwijk, has lost his place in the Oranje starting XI, but has admitted that the stiff competition for a place in the playing XI only benefits the team.
“Under Van Gaal, it doesn't matter whether you've made one international appearance or 100. You simply have to perform at club level and for Oranje. The previous coach always had a core of 11 or 12 players. Things are completely different now, and that can only be a good thing. Competition for places keeps you alert. We've made a fresh start under Van Gaal after the disastrous European Championship”, Heitinga concluded.
Van Gaal took the reins of Netherlands after Van Marwijk stepped down from the managerial hot seat in the aftermath of a disappointing UEFA Euro 2012 in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ukraine-c3032.
The Oranje have made a good start to their 2014 World Cup qualification campaign under the new coach, winning both of their initial fixtures. The 2010 World Cup runners-up will be keen to keep their 100 percent winning record intact, when they take on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Romania-c2990 on October 16.
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