Netherlands begin their preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg with a friendly against Morocco in Agadir. Kick off on Wednesday is at 6.30pm.

Netherlands host Luxembourg on the 9th of June in what is a must win World Cup qualifier and also Dick Advocaat’s first game in charge since being announced as Danny Blind’s successor.

Before that match, Netherlands have two friendlies, firstly against Morocco this Wednesday and then Ivory Coast on the 4th of June. Fred Grim will take charge of both matches which are important to gain FIFA ranking points and confidence heading into crucial games over the next few months.

Team News

Grim has 21 of the players named in the Netherlands squad to choose from, with several set to join later this week when they return to Rotterdam. Daley Blind, Davy Klaassen, Jeremain Lens, Arjen Robben, Kevin Strootman, Stefan de Vrij and Georginio Wijnaldum are those that will miss this tie.

Two players could make their debut in Oranje on Wednesday, with Groningen goalkeeper Sergio Padt and Chelsea defender Nathan Ake included for the first time. Wesley Sneijder will be hoping for some playing time as he closes in on Edwin van der Sar as the most capped Netherlands international. He could break that record if he plays in all three matches.

Possible Netherlands line-up: Zoet; Tete, Hoedt, Martins Indi, Aké; De Roon, Vilhena, Toornstra; Promes, Dost, Memphis

Morocco, coached by Harve Renard, have several familiar faces to Dutch football fans and could line-up with three players who are still eligible to play for Netherlands. Utrecht duo Yassin Ayoub and Sofyan Amrabat could feature along with Groningen winger Mimoun Mahi. One man who will not be present is Hakim Ziyech, with the Ajax star refusing the call-up as his feud with Renard continues.

Possible Morocco line-up: Munir, Dirar, Da Costa, Siess, Feddal, El Ahmadi, Boussoufa, Boufal, N Amrabat, Mahi, Bouhaddouz

Previous Meetings

Netherlands have met on two previous occasions. Firstly in the 1994 World Cup, Netherlands beat the African nation 2-1 thanks to goals from Dennis Bergkamp and Bryan Roy which saw Oranje top their group and reach the last 16. However, in 1999, Morocco ran out 2-1 winners in a friendly match between the two nations.

Odds

Morocco 21/10 Draw 23/10 Netherlands 13/10

Make sure you follow footballoranje_ on Twitter for all the build-up to the game and commentary of the match on Wednesday evening.




admin (14220 Posts)

Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter