Van Basten still has challenge in getting his defense in shape for Euro 2008

The Associated Press
Friday 30 May 2008

The rallying cry for all Dutch fans is "AANVALLUUUH!" — or "ATTAAAACK!" Their main worry ahead of the European Championship is defending, however, and there is no chant for that.

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy proved why he is the star of the team late Thursday, clinically finishing off a perfect counterattack in a 1-1 draw against Denmark which showed all the best of Dutch soccer — fluency, flair and firepower.

In defense though, the contrast was stunning. The Danes were allowed to run riot in the penalty area, and proved physically stronger.

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who had stood by his under-fire defenders early in the week, was shouting at them on top of his voice Thursday, giving instructions on how to plug the big holes in front of him.

Nicklas Bendtner constantly caused problems and, on the goal he set up for Christian Poulsen, he made Joris Mathijsen look like an amateur. First he beat him in the air, and then the tall forward toyed with the defender with the ball on the ground and set up the unmarked Poulsen for a tap-in.

"It was silly how we conceded that goal," said Van der Sar. "You get sick of that."

At the heart of the defense, John Heitinga also failed to erase memories of such stars like Jaap Stam and Frank de Boer.

Denmark, which did not qualify for the Euros, had little to play for and still caused such problems. It bodes ill for June 9, when the Netherlands opens its campaign against world champion Italy and Luca Toni, one of Europe's best strikers. It also plays France and Romania in Group C, the toughest of four opening round groups.

The defensive weakness is all the more glaring considering the Dutch only conceded five goals in 12 qualifying games — although it was Manchester United's Edwin van der Sar who more than once saved the day for Oranje.

Marco van Basten has one more match to get it right — against Wales at Rotterdam.

"Let's see what is going to happen on Sunday," he said.

Next Tuesday, the team leaves for its training base in Lausanne on Lake Geneva.

Since the Dutch are loaded with creative midfielders like Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart and wingers Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie, it remains a question who will provide the brawn in defensive midfield.

On the bright side, the Dutch are brimming with creativity.

Marco van Basten's forwards often exchanged slick passes and set up good scoring chances. For now, it doesn't matter most were squandered.

"We have to make sure that we slot a few more goals and everything will be fine," captain van der Sar said.

Van Nistelrooy at least showed he still has his scoring touch by rounding off the game's best sequence for his 31st goal in 60 internationals.

It was set up by two other Real Madrid stars. Sneijder moved the ball to Robben, whose one-touch pass was perfectly weighted for Van Nistelrooy to slide under the goalie.