The Hindu : Sport / Football : Klass-Jan Huntelaar dropped

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, May 15, 2006

Sport

Sport - Football

Klass-Jan Huntelaar dropped

ZEIST (The Netherlands): Marco van Basten dropped prolific Ajax Amsterdam striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on Sunday from his final squad for the World Cup finals next month, sticking with Ruud van Nistelrooy, Dirk Kuijt and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Manchester United's Van Nistelrooy will be first choice up front and Kuijt can fill in on the right wing.

The 23-man squad contains only two players, midfielder Philip Cocu and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, with World Cup experience.

Van Basten decided against taking experienced 33-year-old midfielder Edgar Davids, saying the Tottenham player could be very useful but had started to show his age.

Meanwhile in Mexico City, defender Joel Huiqui and midfielders Israel Lopez and Jaime Lozano were axed from the final squad. The decision means that 37-year-old defender Claudio Suarez keeps his place and has a chance to play at his third World Cup following his appearances in 1994 and 1998.

The squads: The Netherlands: Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar, Maarten Stekelenburg and Henk Timmer. Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Tim de Cler, Kew Jaliens, Jan Kromkamp, Joris Mathijsen, Andri Ooijer and Johnny Heitinga. Midfielders: Mark van Bommel, Phillip Cocu, Denny Landzaat, Hedwiges Maduro, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart. Forwards: Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuijt, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Mexico: Goalkeepers: Oswaldo Sanchez, Guillermo Ochoa, Jesus Corona. Defenders: Jose Antonio Castro, Rafael Marquez, Mario Mendez, Ricardo Osorio, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido, Claudio Suarez, Andres Guardado, Gonzalo Pineda. Midfielders: Luis Perez, Pavel Pardo, Antonio Naelson, Rafael Garcia, Gerardo Torrado, Ramon Morales. Forwards: Jared Borgetti, Guillermo Franco, Francisco Fonseca, Omar Bravo, Jesus Arellano.

Angola: Goalkeepers: JoIao Ricardo, Lama, Mdario. Defenders: Delgado, Jamba, Kali, Lebo Lebo, Loco, Marco Abreu, Marco Airosa, Rui Marques. Midfielders: AndrDe, Edson, Figueiredo, Mendonca, Miloy, ZDe Kalanga. Strikers: AkwDa, Andre Titi Buengo, FlDavio, Love, Mantorras, Mateus. — Agencies