Dutch make forced changes for Euro qualifiers

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk included several new faces on Friday in his 23-man squad to face San Marino and Finland in their opening two Euro 2012 qualifiers next month.

The Dutch reached the World Cup final in South Africa back in July but several of the players who lost 1-0 to Spain are now unavailable, notably captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst, reserve goalkeeper Sander Boschker and defender Andre Ooijer, who have all retired.

Another absentee is Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben, who is expected to be out of action until the end of September because of a hamstring tear that was exacerbated during the World Cup.

Lack of form has also led to the exclusion of Ryan Babel, Edson Braafheid and Stijn Schaars, while van Marwijk has also overlooked former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in spite of his making a good start in the German Bundesliga with new club Hamburg.

Coming into the set-up are Alicante goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen, defenders Vurnon Anita, Erik Pieters and Ron Vlaar, midfielders Theo Janssen and Hedwiges Maduro and PSV Eindhoven striker Jeremain Lens.

The favourites to replace van Bronckhorst as captain are either Wesley Sneijder or Mark van Bommel.

The Netherlands travel to San Marino for their opener on September 3 and host Finland four days later in Rotterdam.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax), Michel Vorm (Utrecht), Piet Velthuizen (Hercules Alicante/ESP)

Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart/GER), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Vurnon Anita (Ajax), John Heitinga (Everton/ENG), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg/GER), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord)

Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich/GER), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City/ENG), Theo Janssen (Twente), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia/ESP), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan/ITA), Rafael van der Vaart (Real Madrid/ESP), Demy de Zeeuw (Ajax)

Forwards: Eljero Elia (Hamburg/GER), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (AC Milan/ITA), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/ENG), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool/ENG), Jeremain Lens (PSV)