The Netherlands are looking to extend their non-losing streak against Austria in Eindhoven on Wednesday. They’ll have to do without Robin van Persie, Rafael van der Vaart and Nigel de Jong.
Since losing the 2010 World Cup final against Spain, Holland are undefeated in six matches, winning their last five. Austria are unbeaten winning two and drawing one match in their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, which got them into the second spot Germany, with 12 points from four matches.`
The Netherlands and Austria have quite a history together. In their last encounter in March 2008 in Vienna, the Dutch won 4-3 after having been down 3-0. It marked the only match in history that the Netherlands came back from three goals down to win an international match and Austria for their part never lost an international match having led by three goals. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice during that match. The striker, who played at Ajax at the time, will be seeking confidence with the Orange squad on Wednesday.
Huntelaar scored at least once in the last five matches of the Netherlands, but at his currect club Schalke 04 the forward has not hit the target in the last nine games. Schalke is performing very poor lately and Huntelaar is happy to have an international break. “It’ll be fun to play in an experienced team, where players know each other well”, Huntelaar said.
The Austria match would have been Nigel de Jong’s comeback match in the Orange squad after he was left out because of rough play by coach Bert van Marwijk during the last three matches. The Manchester City midfielder suffered form an ankle injury however. Robin van Persie will be out because of illness and Rafael van der Vaart suffers from an ankle injury. Luuk de Jong (FC Twente) and Kevin Strootman thus make their debut in Van Marwijk’s selection.
Austrian coach Dietmar Constantini will have to do without Roman Wallner (Red Bull Salzburg), Marc Janko (FC Twente) and Martin Harnik (VfB Stuttgart). Although Austria is unbeaten in the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, the team lost its last international match 2-1 at home versus Greece on 17 November 2010. The Austrians have not won in their last nine international away matches.
In total the Netherlands and Austria met 17 times. The Netherlands won seven, Austria six and the match ended up in a draw four times.
The Netherlands and Austria have quite a history together. In their last encounter in March 2008 in Vienna, the Dutch won 4-3 after having been down 3-0. It marked the only match in history that the Netherlands came back from three goals down to win an international match and Austria for their part never lost an international match having led by three goals. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar scored twice during that match. The striker, who played at Ajax at the time, will be seeking confidence with the Orange squad on Wednesday.
Huntelaar scored at least once in the last five matches of the Netherlands, but at his currect club Schalke 04 the forward has not hit the target in the last nine games. Schalke is performing very poor lately and Huntelaar is happy to have an international break. “It’ll be fun to play in an experienced team, where players know each other well”, Huntelaar said.
The Austria match would have been Nigel de Jong’s comeback match in the Orange squad after he was left out because of rough play by coach Bert van Marwijk during the last three matches. The Manchester City midfielder suffered form an ankle injury however. Robin van Persie will be out because of illness and Rafael van der Vaart suffers from an ankle injury. Luuk de Jong (FC Twente) and Kevin Strootman thus make their debut in Van Marwijk’s selection.
Austrian coach Dietmar Constantini will have to do without Roman Wallner (Red Bull Salzburg), Marc Janko (FC Twente) and Martin Harnik (VfB Stuttgart). Although Austria is unbeaten in the Euro 2012 qualification campaign, the team lost its last international match 2-1 at home versus Greece on 17 November 2010. The Austrians have not won in their last nine international away matches.
In total the Netherlands and Austria met 17 times. The Netherlands won seven, Austria six and the match ended up in a draw four times.
