The Netherlands announce final Fifa World Cup squad
Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has included six British-based players in his final squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa.
Liverpool pair Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong, John Heitinga of Everton and the Celtic defender Edson Braafheid are all included in the squad, which will begin their campaign against Denmark in Johannesburg on June 14th. Their other opponents in Group E are Japan and Cameroon.
Van Marwijk has cut defenders Vurnon Anita and Ron Vlaar, midfielder Orlando Engelaar and the striker Jeremain Lens from his preliminary squad.
The Dutch have never won the competition, but were runners-up twice in 1974 and 1978.
The Netherlands squad for the 2010 Fifa World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht)
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart), Edson Braafheid (Celtic), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Feyenoord), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (HSV), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Andre Ooijer (PSV).
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (AZ), Wesley Sneijder (Inter), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV).
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Eljero Elia (HSV), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich).
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