Trio back in Dutch fold

Trio out
The trio make up part of a 20-man squad named by Advocaat today for the clash at the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna. "We have had to deal with injuries from players who were also near to selection. Patrick Paauwe, Paul Bosvelt and Kevin Hofland are all missing," Advocaat said.

Age not a factor
"When I became coach I said that I would choose from a fixed group of players who have the potential to play in the national team," Advocaat continued. "Guys who are 26 or 27, who are playing at a top club, are not over the hill in my book. Also a player that has not been selected in an earlier match because of whatever reason, is still able to fight his way back into the squad through his club."

Other missing players
As well as Paauwe, Bosvelt and Hofland, Advocaat is also without Andy van der Meyde and Rafael van der Vaart. Van der Meyde felt he was not fit enough for selection and preferred to get back into shape at AFC Ajax while his club team-mate Van der Vaart has a knee problem.

Good feeling
Despite the injuries Advocaat has a good feeling about the match in Austria. "It won't be an easy game, but the players showed against Belarus [in the opening qualifier] that they have the drive," he said. "With that same attitude we can also get a good result in Vienna."

Game going ahead
The game will go ahead as scheduled after it was announced the funeral of Prince Claus von Amsberg, the husband of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, will be held on 15 October and not a day later.

Netherlands squad