Neeskens to lead Netherlands B team
Saturday, October 25, 2008
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The Royal Netherlands Football Association have announced their intention to re-form the national B team for the first time in 20 years, naming former midfielder and FC Barcelona assistant Johan Neeskens as head coach.
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The Royal Netherlands Football Association have announced their intention to re-form the national B team for the first time in 20 years.
Qualification woe
The move has been prompted by the failure of the Jong Oranje to qualify for next summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden. The team will provide young players who are not yet part of the senior setup, and who would have otherwise missed out on the chance to gain international experience, with the opportunity of getting some playing time.
Experienced duo
Former Dutch international midfielder Johan Neeskens, who was part of the Oranje squad which finished as runners-up at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups, has been named as head coach with former Arsenal FC and national team striker Dennis Bergkamp as his assistant. The team's first match will be against Sweden U21s in Waalwijk on 19 November.
