As an introduction to the Dutch team I will write a short (novice) scouting report on all its members. Starting with goalkeepers, I will mention their strengths, weaknesses and their current status in Oranje. Obliviously I will give some more attention to players who are actually going to play. Reports on defenders, midfielders and attackers will follow soon.
Maarten Stekelenburg (photo)(current club: Ajax/28 years old)
Strengths: Good all-round keeper: decent reflexes, decent in the air and he very rarely makes a mistake. But like his predecessor Edwin van der Sar his real strength is his passing ability. He can pick out a teammate from 50 meters with his right foot; his left foot isn't as accurate but still can match a lot of other goalkeeper's best foot.
Of course the importance of a goalkeepers passing ability can be debated, but the way Holland plays (lots of possession with a patient build-up starting at the back) Stekelenburg's passing skill is a real must.
Weaknesses: Stekelenburg doesn't have real weaknesses but I never caught him making a spectacular save either. Also his international experience is limited to a few Uefa cup (or Europa league or whatever) games with Ajax and the Dutch qualifying campaign for this year’s World Cup. His inexperience is obviously due to evergreen Edwin van der Sar, who, if he didn't retire from the national team, would still be in goal in South-Africa.
Status: Stekelenburg is without question the Dutch number one. He would have to get injured or make a real hash of it not to play all of the Holland's (significant) games.
Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht/26)
Strengths: Great reflexes and very quick of his line. Good future ahead of him.
Weaknesses: No international experience (just 3 caps).
Status: If anything happens to Stekelenburg, Vorm will replace him.
Sander Boschker (FC Twente/39)
Strengths: Good reflexes, lots of experience in the Dutch Eredivisie. Also can sit on a bench without any problem (did it with Ajax for one whole year).
Weaknesses: Despite his age he has no international experience with the Dutch team. His 1 (one!) and only cap he won recently in a friendly match against Ghana. Earlier in his career he was known to make absolute howlers, but has cut down on those significantly.
Status: I would be very surprised if he would feature more than 0 seconds at this World Cup. (Then again how many 3rd keepers will play for any nation?)
Did you know? The goalkeeping situation may look a weak for the Dutch Team. If some circumstances were a little bit different it could have been much better though: Tim Krul and Kennet Vermeer are the most talented goalkeepers we have in Holland in my opinion (and in the opinion of most pundits, in case you are wondering). Sadly both are not playing at Newcastle United and Ajax respectively. Both are still young, so in the future the name that will defend the Dutch goal may be very different.
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