Holland set sights on Japan
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
 |
| Bert van Marwijk doesn't change
his concept lightly. |
With the opening to the tournament
more or less digested with a recovery training yesterday,
Holland are not training today. Tomorrow they will start
focussing on Saturday's opponent Japan.
The Japanese defeated Cameroon
1-0 in their opener, but failed to make a lasting impression.
Then again: so did Holland.
There's much discussion in the
Dutch media about whether Bert van Marwijk should play
Eljero Elia from the start and put Rafael van der Vaart
on the bench. But those who know Bert van Marwijk will
know that the former Feyenoord coach doesn't change
his concept lightly.
Van Marwijk said that Elia indeed
came on well, but that that doesn't automatically mean
he will play against Japan: "I've always said that
we have a number of options and that that is good. You
need both speed and creativity during a tournament such
as this, on the pitch and on the bench."
Talking to the Dutch players doesn't
reveal much either, as it seems the players have agreed
not to discuss tactics with the media.
Wesley Sneijder agreed on Dutch
TV that with Elia in the team Holland had more depth
to their game, but he was quick to add that Van der
Vaart can provide that depth as well.
Four days before Holland's second
game it thus seems safe to conclude that there will
be a spot on the bench for Eljero Elia, besides Arjen
Robben, and that Holland will start in the same lineup
as they did against Denmark.
It does seem however that Van der
Vaart can not afford to play as poorly as he did against
the Danes again.
Arjen Robben joined the squad for
the first time since his arrival in South Africa yesterday.
He did so in shorts, despite the low temperatures in
Johannesburg. It was remarkable while at Bayern Munich
Robben would wear a legging under his trunks for much
of the season.
Van Marwijk thought it was odd
as well: "But according to the medical staff he
was dressed warm enough, and it wasn't a problem."
The Holland manager also looked
ahead at Japan: "Our scout, Ronald Spelbos has
watched them against Cameroon. After a few defeats the
coach has made some changes, different tactics; and
they won their first game. But I haven't seen enough
of them to properly judge them."
|
