Goal-kings Alves and Huntelaar look a double Dutch treat for the PremiershipThe Eredivisie's top forwards are lining up to move to England, Spain or Italy this summer.
One of the leagues that is raided consistently for its talent is the Dutch Eredivisie. The technical ability Netherlands clubs impart on their players is quite good, and despite the fact that the league is not viewed as favourably as the 'big three' - or even France and Germany for that matter - the quality of talent is not in doubt.
The following five are the most highly skilled attacking players in Holland at the moment, some of them having been near or at the top of the scoring charts over the past few years. I would add that several others are equally worthy of a place on this list, or at least of an honourable mention.
Alfonso Alves (Heerenveen): The 26-year-old Brazilian is the top scorer in the Eredivisie this season. His remarkable tally of 34 goals in 31 league games was 12 better than his nearest rival. Another three goals in the UEFA Cup gives him an aggregate of 37 in the same number of matches. This remarkable forward was picked up from Swedish giants Malmo FF in the transfer window, and scored on his debut on August 19. He managed four hat-tricks in the league and scored four in the final game against Feyenoord Rotterdam. With a scoring record amongst the best in Europe, expect the vultures to circle for Alves regardless of the any long-term contract signed with the Dutch club.
Arouna Kone (PSV): The pacy African striker has had a modest return this season with 10 goals, but still managed to make a name for himself on the international stage and in the Champions League. A full senior international for his country, 23-year-old Kone earned caps at both the African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. Resembling something of a combination between Djibril Cisse and Emmanuel Adebayor, this 6ft 1in striker has a big future ahead of him. He may not be picked up during the off season, but he’s likely to feature for a larger European club if PSV are willing to let him go.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Ajax): As Dutch strikers go, Huntelaar is considered the future of the national team, though he’s been given limited appearances. However, this is the third consecutive time he’s finished among the top four scorers in the Eredivisie. In fact, last year he scored an unbelievable 35 league goals for Ajax. The 23-year-old Dutchman has been linked to everyone from Arsenal to Manchester United – anyone looking for another out-and-out striker to finish off their stylish midfield work. Now that he’s proven himself, look for a big club to offer him regular European football and a route to further international caps.
Ryan Babel (Ajax): Despite the fact that his goal tally wasn’t as impressive as some of his teammates, Babel's worth is highlighted in the club’s winning record whenever he plays. At only 20, he’s a precocious talent that speculation suggests will be snapped up by someone this summer. Not necessarily an all-out striker, his pacy wing play and creative ability can leave defenders in his wake. He’s been capped several times at international level - all at the World Cup - UEFA qualifiers and international friendlies. Clearly, Marco van Basten envisions a Babel-Huntelaar partnership as absolutely vital to the success of the Dutch national team, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better one-two combination.
Danny Koevermans (AZ Alkmaar): At 28, Koevermans might not be the most attractive option, but he’s got a world of experience. He hasn’t received a call-up to the Dutch national squad, but you can bet van Basten has been keeping an eye on his performances this year. A return of 26 goals from 34 starts is no small feat. In helping Alkmaar to a three-way tie at the top of the league and also to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, he has gone a long way to make a name for himself. If Denny Landzaat can make an impact for Wigan Athletic at 29, a goalscorer like Koevermans could go a long way to transforming another club’s fortunes.
Most these players will be featured in the English, Spanish or Italian leagues this summer. At bare minimum, they’ll find themselves among the elite in the French and German leagues.
Netherlands 3 - 0 IcelandBlind 23, 52,Matic 79
Match report
Daley Blind (left) scored twice for the Netherlands (©UEFA 2007)Blind double lifts Dutch
Friday, 4 May 2007
1 Sergio Padt
2 Bentem Anthony
3 Timothy Van Der Meulen
4 Patrick Van Aanolt
5 Ridny Cairo
6 Daley Blind
7 Nacer Barazite
8 Leroy Fer
9 Genero Zeefuik
10 Georginio Wijnaldum
11 Luciano Narsingh
substitutes
12 Johnny De Vries
13 Kaj Ramsteijn
14 Marko Matic
15 Wouter De Vogel
16 Jeoden Zoet
17 Luis Pedro
18 Pepijn Kluin
Daley Blind showed he has inherited plenty of talent from his famous father Danny as he struck twice from distance to take the Netherlands to the top of UEFA European Under-17 Championship Group B and end the hopes of Iceland.
Mixed news
It was no easy task tonight for the Netherlands as for the first time in the tournament, the sun disappeared behind dark clouds, the wind swirled and rain even started to fall. But Blind, suspended for the opening 2-2 draw with hosts Belgium, marked his return with two goals and Marko Matic then confirmed a victory which means the Dutch need only draw with England on Monday in Tubize to reach the semi-finals. However, a late ankle injury may end Blind's tournament here.
Free-kick goal
Iceland, urged on by a vocal set of fans including a number of relatives, began more confidently than in their 2-0 defeat by England on Wednesday, buoyed by the comeback of their prolific goalscoring hero in qualifying Kolbeinn Sigthórsson from a hip injury. But after a very quiet first 22 minutes, the Netherlands struck out of the blue. There seemed little danger from a free-kick wide on the right but Blind swung in a ball that Vignir Jóhannesson could not stop. However Jóhannesson, continuing in goal following Trausti Sigurbjörnsson's head injury two days ago, stopped a close-range Nacer Barazite effort soon after and then dived to deny Genero Zeefuik.
Blind blow
The first 12 minutes of the second half produced little goalmouth action, but Blind then doubled the lead with another superb effort. Teed up by Barazite from the right, the No6 let fly from 20 metres with another unstoppable shot. With 15 minutes left Blind curled another free-kick just past the post, and then he limped off following a heavy challenge, and has a suspected twisted ankle.
Clincher
However, substitute Matic showed he had been watching his team-mate closely as he swung in a left-wing free-kick that slipped through the grasp of Jóhannesson. Iceland cannot reach the last four but a win against Belgium in Tournai on Monday would earn them a play-off A for fifth place and a possible FIFA U-17 World Cup berth. The Netherlands will have to face England without Zeefuik, who was booked for the second time in the tournament and is suspended.
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მალადეც დენი ბლინდის ბიჭს This post has been edited by zvintik on 5 May 2007, 14:57
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ჰოლანდიური ფეხბურთის ფანკლუბი, HUP HOLLAND
