Friday, October 8, 2010

Can Holland Look To Extend Perfect upcoming Euro 2012 qualifier

It will only be the third time the Netherlands are facing Moldova but they already know how tough the former Soviet Republic can be as they seek to finish top of the pile in Euro 2012 qualifying.History will be behind the Dutch as they have never lost in two previous meetings with Moldova and have had the experience of travelling and winning as well. Both games were previously also for the European Championship qualifying stage for the 2004 edition, where Netherlands beat the hosts 2-1 more than seven years ago.The return fixture was even more emphatic for the Dutch as they strolled to a 5-0 win courtesy of goals from Patrick Kluivert, Wesley Sneijder, Pierre van Hooijdonk, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben. However, their opponents are much improved since that time and will prove a formidable barrier.Sneijder and Robben registered their first competitive goals at senior international level in that encounter, while Van der Vaart hit his third. Meanwhile, FC Twente captain Peter Wisgerhof has received his first international call-up after being named in the Netherlands’ 23-man squad for forthcoming UEFA EURO 2012 qualifiers against Moldova and Sweden.The 30-year-old, capped 13 times by the Under-21s, has been drafted in by Bert van Marwijk for Holland Netherlands vs Moldova to provide cover at centre-back after Hedwiges Maduro was ruled out with a hamstring problem. “Wisgerhof has proven himself at a high level and in European matches,” said the coach. “He’s a good defender who can also contribute going forward.”

No comments:

Post a Comment