Azerkid
09-07-2002, 03:37 PM
Group Preview:
The Netherlands are in serious mood ahead of the start of their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign this Saturday.
Interested observers
The Dutch disappointment at missing out on Korea/Japan has left the squad determined that they will not be left behind for Portugal in two years' time. However, they are in a strong group that features another side who missed out on the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, the Czech Republic. The Czechs are not in action this weekend and will be interested observers as the Netherlands take on Belarus and Moldova meet Austria.
Concentration needed
Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat wants his team to start their campaign as they mean to go on, with three points. "It is going to be serious on Saturday," he said. "We only have eight matches to qualify for Portugal in a period of little more than a year. We have to be concentrated for every match."
Important task
Advocaat, who saw his side beat Norway 1-0 in their last friendly a fortnight ago, added that it was vital for his side to recognise the importance of the task ahead. "We had some nice results in our last four friendly matches, but everyone will forget those results against Belarus," he added.
Three return
The former Rangers FC coach has named a squad of 20 players, including the return of three players who missed out against Norway. The trio are AFC Ajax forward Rafael van der Vaart, S.S. Lazio defender Jaap Stam and Feyenoord defender Patrick Paauwe. "I'm glad that Stam is available and with a player like Paauwe I've someone with international experience with his club and with the Dutch team," said Advocaat.
Coach resigned
While the Dutch are in a focused mood, Belarus have been dealing with the resignation of their coach Edouard Malofeev last week. On Friday, the Belarus Football Federation (BFF) turned down the 60-year-old's request and hoped he would still be in place this Saturday.
'We need him'
"We have little time to prepare the squad for the important European qualifier, that's why we need Malofeev more than ever," BFF president Grigory Fyodorov said after the coach decided to stand down on health grounds and because of negative media coverage at home.
Strict approach
Malofeev took over in July 2000 and his strict approach has not always won him friends. He threw Aleksandr Khatskevich and Valentin Belkevich out of the squad a year ago, accusing the FC Dynamo Kyiv duo of not trying in a home defeat by Ukraine.
Good results
However, Belarus have achieved good results under Malofeev. Not least last month, when they fought back from 2-1 down to beat Latvia 4-2 away.
Keen to impress
With home and away games against the Dutch and the Czech Republic to come, Austria and Moldova will view their meeting as vital. Austria coach Hans Krankl is keen for a good performance, despite the squad being in transition and having lost 3-2 against Switzerland last month.
'We have to deliver'
"The team is in reconstruction and this lasts a longer period of time," he said. "But it is also clear that we have to deliver certain results and this means also a victory against Moldova."
Experienced hands
Despite all the emphasis he has placed on the future, Krankl has called up experienced players like Andreas Herzog and Ivica Vastic, now playing in Japan, and the fit again Ronald Brunmayr.
'Hard nut to crack'
"It will not be an easy match against Moldova, they are a hard nut to crack," added Krankl, but he is optimistic his side can do well in Group Three. "The Czech Republic and Holland are clear favourites, but it is not a reason to give up in advance. We will take it one match at a time," he said.
Players wanted
Moldova, who lost 1-0 in Estonia last month, will feel the same way, although they are looking further ahead than EURO 2004™. The national association is keen to recruit players from outside the country and is casting its net far and wide. Indeed, coach Viktor Pasulko is hoping to persuade Ukrainian striker Andriy Nesteruk, who plays for FC Sheriff Tiraspol, to act on his eligibility for Moldova and join the national set-up.
Duo recalled
Pasulko is aiming to do the best for his country, whatever it takes. He has recalled the Russian-based duo of striker Serghei Rogaciov and defender Adrian Sosnovschi to face Austria, despite leaving them out of the Estonia match for a breach of team discipline.
The Netherlands are in serious mood ahead of the start of their EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign this Saturday.
Interested observers
The Dutch disappointment at missing out on Korea/Japan has left the squad determined that they will not be left behind for Portugal in two years' time. However, they are in a strong group that features another side who missed out on the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals, the Czech Republic. The Czechs are not in action this weekend and will be interested observers as the Netherlands take on Belarus and Moldova meet Austria.
Concentration needed
Netherlands coach Dick Advocaat wants his team to start their campaign as they mean to go on, with three points. "It is going to be serious on Saturday," he said. "We only have eight matches to qualify for Portugal in a period of little more than a year. We have to be concentrated for every match."
Important task
Advocaat, who saw his side beat Norway 1-0 in their last friendly a fortnight ago, added that it was vital for his side to recognise the importance of the task ahead. "We had some nice results in our last four friendly matches, but everyone will forget those results against Belarus," he added.
Three return
The former Rangers FC coach has named a squad of 20 players, including the return of three players who missed out against Norway. The trio are AFC Ajax forward Rafael van der Vaart, S.S. Lazio defender Jaap Stam and Feyenoord defender Patrick Paauwe. "I'm glad that Stam is available and with a player like Paauwe I've someone with international experience with his club and with the Dutch team," said Advocaat.
Coach resigned
While the Dutch are in a focused mood, Belarus have been dealing with the resignation of their coach Edouard Malofeev last week. On Friday, the Belarus Football Federation (BFF) turned down the 60-year-old's request and hoped he would still be in place this Saturday.
'We need him'
"We have little time to prepare the squad for the important European qualifier, that's why we need Malofeev more than ever," BFF president Grigory Fyodorov said after the coach decided to stand down on health grounds and because of negative media coverage at home.
Strict approach
Malofeev took over in July 2000 and his strict approach has not always won him friends. He threw Aleksandr Khatskevich and Valentin Belkevich out of the squad a year ago, accusing the FC Dynamo Kyiv duo of not trying in a home defeat by Ukraine.
Good results
However, Belarus have achieved good results under Malofeev. Not least last month, when they fought back from 2-1 down to beat Latvia 4-2 away.
Keen to impress
With home and away games against the Dutch and the Czech Republic to come, Austria and Moldova will view their meeting as vital. Austria coach Hans Krankl is keen for a good performance, despite the squad being in transition and having lost 3-2 against Switzerland last month.
'We have to deliver'
"The team is in reconstruction and this lasts a longer period of time," he said. "But it is also clear that we have to deliver certain results and this means also a victory against Moldova."
Experienced hands
Despite all the emphasis he has placed on the future, Krankl has called up experienced players like Andreas Herzog and Ivica Vastic, now playing in Japan, and the fit again Ronald Brunmayr.
'Hard nut to crack'
"It will not be an easy match against Moldova, they are a hard nut to crack," added Krankl, but he is optimistic his side can do well in Group Three. "The Czech Republic and Holland are clear favourites, but it is not a reason to give up in advance. We will take it one match at a time," he said.
Players wanted
Moldova, who lost 1-0 in Estonia last month, will feel the same way, although they are looking further ahead than EURO 2004™. The national association is keen to recruit players from outside the country and is casting its net far and wide. Indeed, coach Viktor Pasulko is hoping to persuade Ukrainian striker Andriy Nesteruk, who plays for FC Sheriff Tiraspol, to act on his eligibility for Moldova and join the national set-up.
Duo recalled
Pasulko is aiming to do the best for his country, whatever it takes. He has recalled the Russian-based duo of striker Serghei Rogaciov and defender Adrian Sosnovschi to face Austria, despite leaving them out of the Estonia match for a breach of team discipline.