Posts Tagged ‘Ajax’

Outright Odds: 12/1
Group C Winners: 13/8

New coach Marco van Basten has proven to be a revelation off the pitch as much as he was on it since taking over the Dutch national team. Plucked from an obscure youth coaching role at Ajax where he kept his head down and had low responsibilities when Dick Advocaat quit after Euro 2004, van Basten has made this new-look Dutch team his own.

Out with the old and in with the new seems to be van Basten’s philosophy so while former well known favourites such as Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert have been given the chop, some of the best players the Dutch Eredivisie has to offer have come in to replace them.

Players such as AZ Alkmaar’s Denny Landzaat, Feyenoord’s Dirk Kuyt and Ajax’s Ryan Babel may not be household names yet but have all won the backing of the manager. Ajax have a strong representation in the squad, with John Heitinga, Nigel de Jong, Hedwiges Maduro and Wesley Sneijder, all under the age of 23, vying for a place in the starting line-up.

The faith shown in locally-based players along with more recognisable faces such as evergreen trio Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids and Philip Cocu and the likes of Arjen Robben and Ruud van Nistelrooy has paid off.

The team are showing true team spirit and togetherness, unlike the inconsistent squads of the past and in qualifying notched up 32 points, the highest of any European side. Holland finished five points clear at the top of their group that also included bogey side Czech Republic and Romania, both of whom they beat twice. Surprisingly, the only country they didn’t beat was Macedonia who they drew with twice.

Ruud van Nistelrooy was in scintillating form during qualifying with seven goals in 10 matches and now back in favour at Manchester United, could be a good investment for the top goalscorer market.

The Dutch are always one of the favourites for the tournament but never quite manage it. They have reached the final twice, the semi finals and quarter final stages but never have enough to win it outright.

The team entering this year have little World Cup experience and it would be a big ask of this team to go all the way in Germany.

BetBonus.co.uk Recommendation:
Holland offer better value to win Group C than Argentina but a lack of experience throughout the squad means they cannot be backed to win the tournament outright. Ruud van Nistelrooy could be a good each-way investment for the top goal scorer berth on his debut at the finals.

Holland to win Group C @ 13/8
E/W Ruud van Nistelrooy as top goalscorer @ 16/1

Every now and then you get a goalkeeper who defies the aging process but none has done so as spectacularly as Edwin van der Sar. At the ripe old age of 38 the Dutch keeper set the record for the number of minutes without conceding a league goal – a spectacular 1,311. Not bad for an old campaigner who just the season before saved Nicolas Anelka’s penalty to make Manchester United the champions of Europe. The most capped Dutchman of all time’s glittering career began when he was spotted by Louis van Gaal in 1990 and added to the exciting group of youngsters he was assembling at Ajax. That side hit their peak in 1995 when they lifted the European Cup. Van der Sar kept a clean sheet as the young pretenders overcame the might of AC Milan in the final.

Edwin Van Der Sar Signed Manchester United Photo: Kissing The European Cup

£64.99


This photo was personally signed by Edwin van der Sar in a private signing session on October 9, 2008 in Manchester. It shows the Dutch goalkeeper lifting the Champions League trophy for Man United in Moscow on May 21, 2008.The tie went to extra time then penalties after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Chelsea's Frank Lampard had cancelled each other out in normal time. John Terry needed only to score Chelsea's fifth penalty to take the trophy to Stamford Bridge for the first time, but,... More

Lionel Messi Signed Barcelona Photo Champions League Header

£149.99


This fantastic image shows the brilliant Lionel Messi scoring Barcelona's second goal against Manchester United in the Champions League final of May 2009.Samuel Eto'o had put the Catalans ahead in the Rome showdown, before the little genius found space to head home a second. This incredible shot shows an astonishted Edwin van der Sar as he realises he is unable to prevent a goal.The photo is one of a limited number of only 50 that were personally hand signed by the Argentinian sensation... More

Ryan Giggs Signed Man Utd Photo: Champions Of Europe

£64.99


This superb print shows Ryan Giggs lifting the Champions League trophy in May 2008, after Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties on an incredible night in Moscow.Just moments after John Terry had missed his penalty Ryan slotted home Man Utd's final spot kick, before Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka's effort to make the Red Devils champions of Europe for the third time.The print is 16 inches by 12 inches in size and is one of only 30 that were hand signed by Giggs in an... More