Overmars option has appeal
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Article summary
Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat is considering whether to start Marc Overmars in the place of Andy van der Meyde in Wednesday night's semi-final against Portugal.
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Regular starter
The FC Internazionale player has started all four of the Netherlands' matches in Portugal but was replaced by Roy Makaay shortly before the end of normal time in the quarter-final against Sweden. "Andy did not play a very good match," said Advocaat.
'Not happy'
"I was not happy with his performance. I could choose to play with Marc Overmars against Portugal. But as you know, I will not tell you this right now." Before the Sweden match Advocaat said that he preferred introducing Overmars as a substitute to use his pace as "a final weapon late on".
No doubts
In last night's open training session in Albufeira's municipal stadium, Jaap Stam and Giovanni van Bronckhorst trained apart from the main group as both players have slight knocks, although neither is a doubt for tomorrow. Frank de Boer was out on the pitch as a spectator, having been told he will likely not play again at UEFA EURO 2004™ because of an ankle ligament injury.
Help from sidelines
De Boer, who has been involved with the national team since making his debut in 1990, is determined to remain with the group. "I have already been able to help the team on the pitch, but I also want to continue helping the team from the sidelines now," he said.
