Added strength for Dutch U21 fold
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Article summary
Foppe de Haan is delighted with his squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, including the likes of forwards Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Romeo Castelen.
Article body
Netherlands Under-21 coach Foppe de Haan has named 22 players for his squad for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Portugal.
Goals galore
Chief among them is AFC Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, with the 22-year-old, who struck 33 goals in this season's Eredivisie, missing out on the senior team selection for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Huntelaar has struck 14 goals in 17 U21 games, and is one away from Roy Makaay and Arnold Bruggink's joint record of 15 strikes. De Haan said: "Huntelaar is our top scorer so I am obviously happy he will come with us. This is a good squad."
Three debutants
Experienced players Romeo Castelen, Urby Emanuelson and Ron Vlaar also are welcomed back from the senior squad. Also involved are three who have yet to make their first appearance at this level. The 20-year-old AFC Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer, the 22-year-old BV Vitesse attacker Fred Benson and the 19-year-old FC Twente forward Patrick Gerritsen.
Netherlands squad
Goalkeepers: Remko Pasveer (FC Twente), Kenneth Vermeer (AFC Ajax), Michel Vorm (FC Den Bosch).
Defenders: Edson Braafheid (FC Utrecht), Urby Emanuelson (AFC Ajax), Arnold Kruiswijk (FC Groningen), Gijs Luirink (FC Groningen), Dwight Tiendalli (FC Utrecht), Paul Verhaegh (BV Vitesse Arnhem), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Ramon Zomer (FC Twente).
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Ismail Aissati (PSV Eindhoven), Nicky Hofs (Feyenoord), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), Demy de Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar).
Forwards: Fred Benson (BV Vitesse Arnhem), Romeo Castelen (Feyenoord), Patrick Gerritsen (FC Twente), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AFC Ajax), Collins John (Fulham FC), Daniël de Ridder (RC Celta de Vigo).
