Van Marwijk keeps faith in Real players

Zeist: Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has shown his confidence in the Dutch players facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid by including them in his squad for Wednesday’s friendly against England in Amsterdam.

Van Marwijk announced his 22-man squad on Friday and included Real’s Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and Arjen Robben, who have all been the subject of transfer speculation in the Spanish media. “I announced when I started as national coach that it won’t be easy to be in the squad but that you won’t be dropped easily,” Van Marwijk told a news conference on Friday.“Making this squad was difficult as only the Dutch league has started already and for the rest of my players I have judged them on the matches played in the warm-up for the coming season.” Van Marwijk was pleased with striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar’s move from Real Madrid to Milan and said the striker called him weeks ago to discuss his future. “At this stage I think it is important to give players a sign of confidence as they have a tough warm-up period,” he added. “But I expect that everyone will have a club where they can play regularly before August 31, as has happened with Huntelaar.” Captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who will not be in action this weekend because of knee problems, pulled out injured later on Friday. The Dutch federation (KNVB) said Van Bronckhorst would not be replaced so the squad will now contain 21 players. Before the match at the Amsterdam Arena there will be a minute’s silence in memory of former England coach Bobby Robson, who died last week. The Dutch, who have already qualified for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, will face Japan in a friendly on September 5 at home and travel to Scotland four days later for their last Group Nine match. Dutch Squad: Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax Amsterdam), Michel Vorm (Utrecht) Defenders: John Heitinga (Atletico Madrid), Joris Mathijsen (SV Hamburg), Dirk Marcelis (PSV Eindhoven), Andre Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Edson Braafheid (Bayern Munich), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax Amsterdam) Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax Amsterdam), Stijn Schaars (AZ Alkmaar), David Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Ibrahim Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Wesley Sneijder (Real Madrid) Forwards: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Ryan Babel (Liverpool), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan), Arjen Robben (Real Madrid). Bureau Report