Netherlands v Finland: Preview
Reuters
AMSTERDAM, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to return and lift the Dutch team over the disappointment of dropping points in Macedonia on Saturday when they host Finland in Wednesday's Group One qualifier.
With Van Nistelrooy suspended on Saturday, the Netherlands twice gave away the lead against Macedonia having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
They now need a win against the surprise group leaders :nope: to put their campaign back on track.
Finland started their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat against Romania but three wins in a row (two victories against Armenia and a win over Andorra) have put Antti Muurinen's team top of the standings on nine points - ahead of Romania on goal difference.
Finland is hoping that former Ajax Amsterdam striker Jari Litmanen, will recover from a thigh strain and be fit in time to start. Litmanen missed last Saturday's 3-1 win over Armenia because of the injury and is 50-50 to return to the side in the Amsterdam Arena.
Dutch coach Marco van Basten added PSV's Theo Lucius to his squad on Sunday in place of the suspended Khalid Boulahrouz but Johnny Heitinga is expected to start in defence.
Wilfred Bouma, who scored Holland's opening goal on Saturday, has been bothered by a shin injury and trained separately from the group but is expected to recover in time and play on the left side of the defence.
THREE WINS
Finland travel in good heart after three straight wins, but know that the Dutch will offer far more of a test than Armnenia or Andorra.
The absence of injured striker Mikael Forssell has been allayed a little with stand-in Shefki Kuqi scoring twice against Armenia on Saturday - but Finland really need a win on Wednesday before their bid for a first-ever appearance in the World Cup finals can be considered seriously.
Although there are doubts over Litmanen midfielder Aleksei Eremenko will be looking to continue his goal-scoring streak.
The Lecce player has found the net five times in the last four games, three times through stunning free kicks from over 20 metres.
The likely line-up includes five players who have played in the Dutch first division - six if Litmanen plays. That local knowledge might help the Finns, but the Dutch still look too strong and will probably take all three points. :nope:
Probable teams:
Netherlands: Edwin van der Sar; Nigel de Jong, Philip Cocu, Johnny Heitinga, Wilfred Bouma (or Giovanni van Bronckhorst); Mark van Bommel, Wesley Sneijder, Edgar Davids; Romeo Castelen, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dirk Kuijt.
Finland: Antti Niemi; Petri Pasanen, Janne Saarinen, Sami Hyypia, Mika Vayrynen; Mika Nurmela, Joonas Kolkka, Toni Kuivasto, Aki Riihilahti; Shefki Kuqi (or Jari Litmanen), Aleksei Eremenko.
Referee: Steve Bennett (England)