Dutch want restorative result
Monday, October 6, 2003
Article summary
Dick Advocaat sees Saturday's Group 3 qualifier against Moldova as a way of lifting morale in the Dutch camp.
Article body
Costly loss
Last month's defeat by the Czech Republic cost the Dutch their chance of topping Group 3 and qualifying automatically for the finals in Portugal. It also cost them the services of midfield players Edgar Davids and Mark van Bommel, who are suspended for this match after their respective red and yellow cards in Prague.
Confidence boost needed
With second place in the group guaranteed, Advocaat will use this game as a warm-up for the EURO 2004™ play-off matches that his team will now face on 15 and 19 November. "Against Moldova, we have to show that we are over the setback in Prague," he said. "A good result [on Saturday] will be good for the confidence of our players."
No Van Nistelrooij
The coach also does without striker Ruud van Nistelrooij, who has been dropped for showing dissent when substituted during the Prague defeat, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who is omitted for tactical reasons.
Netherlands squad
Waterreus, Van der Sar, F de Boer, Stam, Ooijer, Reiziger, Van Bronckhorst, Zenden, Bosvelt, Cocu, Sneijder, Overmars, Robben, Van der Meyde, Van der Vaart, Makaay, Kluivert, Van Hooijdonk.
