Advocaat calls on Ajax ace

Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat has called up AFC Ajax striker Andy van der Meyde for next week's friendly against Norway as the Dutch prepare for their EURO 2004 ™ qualifying campaign.

Debut goal
Van der Meyde, whose late goal on his international debut sealed a 2-0 win against the United States in a friendly in May, was selected in a 20-man squad for Wednesday's game in Oslo.  Advocaat's squad is packed with experienced internationals including Manchester United FC striker Ruud van Nistelrooij and FC Barcelona's Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert.

Belarus start
The Netherlands, who failed to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, begin their qualifiers for the European Championship finals against Belarus in Eindhoven on 7 September. "The friendly against Norway is our last test on the way to the European championship qualifier against Belarus," Advocaat said.

Team-mate included
Van der Meyde's Ajax team mate Rafael van der Vaart, one of the top scorers in the Dutch first division last season and a two-goal star as Ajax beat PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Super Cup last weekend, has also been selected. “Rafael has shown at Ajax what he can do. The trip to Norway is a good opportunity for him to show in the Dutch XI what he's capable of," added Advocaat.

Stam out
S.S. Lazio defender Jaap Stam has been left out of the squad due to injury. "I have not called up Stam because he has not yet played a full match for Lazio because of a slight achilles injury," Advocaat explained. Norway, who open their Euro 2004 ™ campaign against Denmark, also failed to make it to the World Cup finals. 

Netherlands squad
Van der Sar, Waterreus, F. de Boer, Bouma, Hofland, Ooijer, Reiziger, Ricksen, Van Bommel, Bosvelt, Cocu, Davids, Kluivert, Van der Vaart, Hasselbaink, Van Hooijdonk, Makaay, van Nistelrooij, Zenden, Van der Meyde