Van Bommel: "Underdog as long as possible"

Tuesday, 8 June 2010

According to Mark van Bommel it's all but self-evident that Holland make it through the first round. "I personally don't think this is an easy group. We will have to perform well to make it through".

By saying that the Bayern Munich captain indicated he does not feel Holland are the big favorites. "We beat Japan this season, but we could just as easily have lost that game. Denmark came through their qualification group with ease. That says something. Cameroon are hard to beat."

Van Bommel ducked questions about the chances of Holland:"I constantly hear that Brazil, Argentina and Spain are the strongest sides. Let's keep that story alive for a while. I like it that way."

Holland had three easy wins during the preparations against Mexico, Ghana and Hungary. Van Bommel: 'And that's good for the peace in the team. It's always pleasant to come off the back of a series of good games. But it's no guarantee for a good World Cup."