Bouma back for the Netherlands
Friday, February 2, 2007
Article summary
Aston Villa FC defender Wilfred Bouma has been called up by the Netherlands for the first time in 18 months as Marco van Basten's side prepare to play Russia.
Article body
Hiddink return
Bouma, 28, earns his chance after impressing for Villa in recent weeks and will hope to collect a 21st cap against Guus Hiddink's men. He last played for the Oranje in a 2-2 draw with Germany on 17 August 2005, coming on as a substitute for Jan Kromkamp, who has also returned to the fold. The 26-year-old PSV Eindhoven right-back last featured against Australia in June.
Injured group
Ibrahim Afellay (groin), Khalid Boulahrouz (knee), André Ooijer (broken leg), Arjen Robben (ankle), Robin van Persie (foot) and Stijn Schaars (ankle) all miss out through injury. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have arranged a friendly against Switzerland on 22 August.
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United FC), Maarten Stekelenburg (AFC Ajax).
Defenders: Wilfred Bouma (Aston Villa FC), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (FC Barcelona), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), Johnny Heitinga (AFC Ajax), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (PSV Eindhoven), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburger SV).
Midfielders: Nigel de Jong (Hamburger SV), Denny Landzaat (Wigan Athletic FC), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Clarence Seedorf (AC Milan), Wesley Sneijder (AFC Ajax), Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburger SV).
Forwards: Ryan Babel (AFC Ajax), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool FC), Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic FC).
