Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng has beaten off competition from Edgar Davids to earn a place in Marco van Basten's 28-man preliminary squad for the World Cup finals.
Holland coach van Basten had reportedly been mulling over whether to take Tottenham star Davids to Germany, but has opted to plump for Boro powerhouse Boateng for the holding-midfield role.
There are few surprises among the 28, although Aston Villa man Wilfred Bouma has missed out.
Rising star Klaas Jan Huntelaar has earned a place ahead of Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay.
Milan star Clarence Seedorf is another notable absentee, with van Basten set to whittle down his selection to 23 before the May 15 deadline.
Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart and Hedwiges Maduro are included even though the trio are currently on the sidelines.
Holland's 28-man pre-World Cup squad:
Keepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar).
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburg SV), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax) and Barry Opdam (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: George Boateng (Middlesbrough), Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Hamburg SV), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV).
Strikers: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven).
Young Squad but really talented. I like Hunteelar against Van Nistelrooy as the starting striker, the guy its freaking hot...did you see yesterdays game?
Holland coach van Basten had reportedly been mulling over whether to take Tottenham star Davids to Germany, but has opted to plump for Boro powerhouse Boateng for the holding-midfield role.
There are few surprises among the 28, although Aston Villa man Wilfred Bouma has missed out.
Rising star Klaas Jan Huntelaar has earned a place ahead of Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay.
Milan star Clarence Seedorf is another notable absentee, with van Basten set to whittle down his selection to 23 before the May 15 deadline.
Nigel de Jong, Rafael van der Vaart and Hedwiges Maduro are included even though the trio are currently on the sidelines.
Holland's 28-man pre-World Cup squad:
Keepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar).
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Hamburg SV), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax) and Barry Opdam (AZ Alkmaar).
Midfielders: George Boateng (Middlesbrough), Mark van Bommel (Barcelona), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Nigel de Jong (Hamburg SV), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV).
Strikers: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Chelsea), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven).
Young Squad but really talented. I like Hunteelar against Van Nistelrooy as the starting striker, the guy its freaking hot...did you see yesterdays game?