The Netherlands will meet Guus Hiddink’s Turkey on Wednesday. The Orange squad only won one of five international matches in which their countryman was the coach of the opposing team.
Robin van Persie and Mark van Bommel teamed up with the Dutch squad on Monday. Their respective clubs Arsenal and Bayern Munich did not seem to be too happy to let the players go on international duty this week. Both Van Persie and Van Bommel come back from injuries. The Netherlands prepare for an international friendly versus Guus Hiddink’s Turkey on Wednesday.
With Van Persie returning Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has a difficult choice to make in his lineup. The Arsenal ace played as centre forward during the World Cup, but on his position Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored at least once in the last four matches of the Netherlands and the Schalke 04 striker is Dutch top scorer in Euro 2012 qualification with 8 goals. Van Persie does not know what to expect from the Turkey match. “It’s up to Van Marwijk. I am training for two weeks now and I discussed joining the Dutch squad with Arsène Wenger. I really enjoy being back on the pitch and being back with the Orange squad.”
On Tuesday Van Persie revealed that he will not play more than 45 minutes. Van Bommel will also be available for half a match only. The Bayern Munich midfielder did not yet play for his club after his injury, but he was on the bench last weekend. Dirk Kuyt will not play at all. The Liverpool forward showed up at the training camp in Noordwijk on Monday, but had to withdraw with an ankle injury on Tuesday.
Dutch Turkey coach Guus Hiddink says that the Netherlands are favorites, but he thinks his own team will get its chances in Amsterdam. “The Netherlands were favorites as well when they played Australia and Russia.” Hiddink refers to his previous encounters as coach of a foreign national team versus the Orange squad, with which he reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. It will be the fifth time the Netherlands face Guus Hiddink as trainer of the opposite team. Only once did the Dutch beat him, in a friendly between the Netherlands and Russia (4-1) on 7 February 2007. Hiddinks most important win against Holland came during the 2008 European Championship quarterfinal: Netherlands – Russia 1-3 AET.
For one Turkish international the match against the Netherlands is very special. Nuri Sahin has a very close relationship with Dutch national coach Bert van Marwijk. “He is like a stepfather to me. He helped me a lot in my young career. He learned me to be self conscious. I’m very grateful to him.” The midfielder made his Bundesliga debut as a 16-year-old with Borussia Dortmund, where Van Marwijk was coach at the time. When the Dutch trainer moved to Feyenoord he took along Sahin on loan for one year.
For Van Marwijk the match will be a family affair. With Mark van Bommel he will have a son in law in his own Orange squad and a stepson in the opposing Turkish squad in the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday.
With Van Persie returning Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk has a difficult choice to make in his lineup. The Arsenal ace played as centre forward during the World Cup, but on his position Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored at least once in the last four matches of the Netherlands and the Schalke 04 striker is Dutch top scorer in Euro 2012 qualification with 8 goals. Van Persie does not know what to expect from the Turkey match. “It’s up to Van Marwijk. I am training for two weeks now and I discussed joining the Dutch squad with Arsène Wenger. I really enjoy being back on the pitch and being back with the Orange squad.”
On Tuesday Van Persie revealed that he will not play more than 45 minutes. Van Bommel will also be available for half a match only. The Bayern Munich midfielder did not yet play for his club after his injury, but he was on the bench last weekend. Dirk Kuyt will not play at all. The Liverpool forward showed up at the training camp in Noordwijk on Monday, but had to withdraw with an ankle injury on Tuesday.
Dutch Turkey coach Guus Hiddink says that the Netherlands are favorites, but he thinks his own team will get its chances in Amsterdam. “The Netherlands were favorites as well when they played Australia and Russia.” Hiddink refers to his previous encounters as coach of a foreign national team versus the Orange squad, with which he reached the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. It will be the fifth time the Netherlands face Guus Hiddink as trainer of the opposite team. Only once did the Dutch beat him, in a friendly between the Netherlands and Russia (4-1) on 7 February 2007. Hiddinks most important win against Holland came during the 2008 European Championship quarterfinal: Netherlands – Russia 1-3 AET.
For one Turkish international the match against the Netherlands is very special. Nuri Sahin has a very close relationship with Dutch national coach Bert van Marwijk. “He is like a stepfather to me. He helped me a lot in my young career. He learned me to be self conscious. I’m very grateful to him.” The midfielder made his Bundesliga debut as a 16-year-old with Borussia Dortmund, where Van Marwijk was coach at the time. When the Dutch trainer moved to Feyenoord he took along Sahin on loan for one year.
For Van Marwijk the match will be a family affair. With Mark van Bommel he will have a son in law in his own Orange squad and a stepson in the opposing Turkish squad in the Amsterdam Arena on Wednesday.
