Advocaat hands it to Heitinga
Friday, February 13, 2004
Article summary
AFC Ajax defender Johnny Heitinga is in the Netherlands squad for their friendly against the United States.
Article body
'Developing very well'
Heitinga has become a regular in the centre of Ajax's defence this season, having missed most of last season because of a knee ligament injury. Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat said of the 20-year-old's inclusion: "Heitinga is a young player who is developing very well. After his long injury, he came back very strong into the Ajax first team. His selection is a reward for his recent good performances."
Van Bommel returns
FC Barcelona forward Patrick Kluivert and PSV Eindhoven defender André Ooijer are missing because of injuries while neither Giovanni van Bronckhorst nor Paul Bosvelt is included. Mark van Bommel returns to the squad after missing the UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifying play-off against Scotland through injury, likewise Jaap Stam who missed the second leg of that tie through suspension.
Netherlands squad
Van der Sar, Waterreus, F de Boer, Bouma, Heitinga, Reiziger, Stam, Zenden, Van Bommel, Cocu, Davids, Seedorf, Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Van Hooijdonk, Makaay, Andy van der Meyde, Van Nistelrooij, Overmars, Robben.
