Van Nistelrooy, Robben return to Dutch squad for Romania, Armenia matches

AP Worldstream
Mar 18, 2005

Dutch coach Marco van Basten recalled star strikers Ruud van
Nistelrooy and Arjen Robben to his squad Friday ahead of World Cup
qualifying matches against Romania and Armenia.

Both strikers had missed recent matches due to injuries.

The Dutch lead Group 1, after a key win over the Czech Republic in
Rotterdam last year.

Chelsea’s Robben and Manchester United’s Van Nistelrooy were summoned
from abroad, along with Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar and Barcelona
fullback Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Roy Makaay of Bayern was not called up because he is still recovering
from a thigh strain.

Van Basten, who has pledged to favor players who are in form above
big-name stars, left out Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert, the
Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer.

Van Basten continued to select young talent, calling on AZ Alkmaar’s
Martijn Meerdink and Hedwiges Maduro of Ajax.

He also gave preference to players in the Dutch league. The team’s
roster features more players from AZ Alkmaar than any other club,
reflecting in part Alkmaar’s success in progressing to the UEFA Cup
quarterfinals.

Also returning from injury are Ajax midfielder Wesley Sneijder and PSV
Eindhoven fullback Phillip Cocu.

The Netherlands play Romania in Bucharest on March 26 and Armenia on
March 30 in Eindhoven.