Netherlands vs. Russia [P + R]

[Bonzi]

Tomorrow at the Amsterdam Arena

Dutch a distraction for Russia

Guus Hiddink and his players may have other things on their minds as Russia prepare for their friendly against the Netherlands this evening.

Poor timing
The first international date of 2007 will see Hiddink come up against his compatriots at the Amsterdam ArenA. Third in UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying Group E, few doubt that Russia will benefit from a run out against the Group D leaders, but the timing - for both players and coach - could have been better. With the Russian season not kicking off until 10 March, most of Hiddink's players have only just started pre-season preparations, and with PFC CSKA Moskva and FC Spartak Moskva gearing up for UEFA Cup action next week, their players could be forgiven for distraction.

Israel trip
Nine players in Hiddink's squad have come from one of the two UEFA Cup contenders. Both clubs were in action at the recent First Channel Cup in Israel, but Hiddink and his coaching team were not present to check out their form. The coach has stuck to tried-and-tested players to face the Netherlands and Aleksandr Kerzhakov's move to Sevilla FC has not been enough to convince Hiddink of his value, though many were expecting the 24-year-old striker's inclusion following his move from FC Zenit St. Petersburg. "Kerzhakov had a poor end to last season," Hiddink said. "He almost didn't play for Zenit and had a poor match against Estonia. We have other strikers. We will let Kerzhakov win a place at Sevilla and then he can battle for a place in the national team."

Legal concerns
Some have suggested Hiddink is preoccupied with his trial for alleged tax evasion, which began in the Netherlands at the end of January. The coach, who has denied any wrongdoing, has been accused of avoiding Dutch taxes by claiming he was living in Belgium. The verdict is expected on 27 February. Hiddink's Russia team have been doing their best to minimise his professional worries. Aside from CSKA central defender Sergei Ignashevich - suffering from mild concussion - all of his first-choice players are fit.

Russia's list:

Goalkeepers
Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Malafeev (Zenit), Borodin (Torpedo)
Defenders
Anyukov (Zenit), A. Berezutsky, V. Berezutsky, Ignashevich (all - CSKA Moscow), Kolodin (Dynamo Moscow)
Midfielders
Aldonin, Zhirkov (both - CSKA Moscow), Bilyaletdinov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Bystrov, Titov (both - Spartak), Semshov (Dynamo Moscow)
Forwards
Saenko (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Arshavin, Pogrebnyak (both - Zenit), Pavlyuchenko (Spartak), Sytchev (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Netherlands' list:

Goalkeepers
Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax)
Defenders
Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ), Urby Emanuelson (Ajax), John Heitinga (Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ), Jan Kromkamp (PSV Eindhoven), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg)
Midfielders
Nigel de Jong (Hamburg), Denny Landzaat (Wigan Athletic), David Mendes da Silva (AZ), Clarence Seedorf (Milan), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg)
Forwards
Ryan Babel (Ajax), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic)

It's already known Edwin van der Sar (will be replaced by Henk Timmer), John Heitinga, Jan Kromkamp and Urby Emanuelson will not be able to play due to injuries.

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Probable line-up of Russia:
Akinfeev - Anyukov, Kolodin, A. Berezutsky - Semshov, Titov, Bilyaletdinov, Zhirkov, Bystrov - Arshavin, Sytchev.

 

[ZZbatam]

Go Holland! GOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLL!!! F**k them in all holes!

 

[PSVFOREVER]

Van Basten reached a new level of moronness by calling up Civard Sprockel...He's nothing special at Vitesse.

 

[Zlatan]

I have to admit, if my chin wasn't there my mouth would have fallen right on the floor when I read that.

He's completely lost his mind. Civard Sprockel, FFS! Even the central defender at my local amateur football club is better than him.

 

[ZZbatam]

Van Basten reached a new level of moronness by calling up Civard Sprockel...He's nothing special at Vitesse.

Riinus Michels would lose a head if he has seen this! !

 

[Hopeunited]

Who the **** is S..pro..ckel? I've never even seen him in FIFA 2007.

 

[rpvankasteren]

He's been solid all season, but he's just in the NT now as a possibility for the future, to see how he does with the other guys. I can see why nobody would notice him, as we hardly get any coverage.

Do realise this is Van Basten, he only calls up players with not yet fullfilled potential as replacements. He's not going to play.

 

[Ubik Valis]

Who the **** is S..pro..ckel? I've never even seen him in FIFA 2007.

Well that's certainly enough to value a man's existence. Did you check other valuable sources....like PES or FM?

 

[Klobb]

Well that's certainly enough to value a man's existence. Did you check other valuable sources....like PES or FM?

perhaps

 

[Hopeunited]

Well that's certainly enough to value a man's existence. Did you check other valuable sources....like PES or FM?

I'm on withdraw from FM, it's a hindrance to my academic career.

 

[PSVFOREVER]

FM confirms his existance and van Basten's stupidness:

This is at the start of 06/07

 

[Zlatan]

Good pace, deter, work rate, decision and influence though, import for a defender.

 

[Bonzi]

Netherlands - Russia 4:1
Babel, 68; Sneijder, 71; Mathijsen, 80; van der Vaart 89 - pen.- Bystrov, 76

 

[Hopeunited]

Ajax 3, Russia 1

 

[PSVFOREVER]

2-1 you mean...If you start like that, you might as well say HSV won from Russia. That would be their first win in a while.

 

[Hendrik]

2-1 you mean...If you start like that, you might as well say HSV won from Russia. That would be their first win in a while.

Yep, would be their first win since early December when they beat ... CSKA Moskva.

Nice goal by Sneijder.

 

[ZZbatam]

Ajax 3, Russia 1

Ajax 3, Spartacus 1

 

[Hopeunited]

2-1 you mean...If you start like that, you might as well say HSV won from Russia. That would be their first win in a while.

no, I meant 3. HSV no longer counts as a viable team, so VDV represents where he's from.

 

[RobbieD_PL]

hah lolz Russia got pwned


And Guus might have to stay behind in the Netherlands on tax evasion charges ?

 

[ZZbatam]

Guus will run away after a half year - nobody could stand russia for longer!!! (even for that money he gets)