No Dutch apologies for Aussie trip

Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk says he has no regrets about making the long journey to Australia for a friendly as part of preparations for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The classy Dutch, ranked third in the world, controlled Saturday’s match but could not come up with a goal to reward their dominance in a scoreless draw with the 14th-ranked Socceroos in Sydney.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was unhappy that two of his players, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, were called up by the Dutch federation to fly to the other side of the world for the friendly.

But Van Marwijk was unrepentant after a fine Dutch performance underlined the depth of his squad in the countdown to the 2010 finals.

“It was a lovely week, nice people, a very nice city and we saw a lot here, so I have no regrets about the trip to Australia,” Van Marwijk said.

The Netherlands came to Australia without first-choice stars Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel, Andre Ooijer and Nigel de Jong, but their replacements fitted in seamlessly, anchored by playmaker Wesley Sneijder.

“For me it was important to see how the other players played today and I think everybody could see that we played in the same way with them and they did well,” Van Marwijk said.

“We had not a bad performance today with this team, it’s a pity that we didn’t score a goal.”

The Australians, under Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, had to work hard to keep the Oranje at bay, particularly in a one-sided first half, but they have yet to lose to their illustrious opponents in three encounters.

The Socceroos beat the Dutch 2-1 in Eindhoven in September last year, the last defeat for the Netherlands, who are unbeaten in their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“I have only coached two times against Australia and the last time (Eindhoven) we had a red card (goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg) a few minutes from half-time…. We could have also won that game,” he said.

“I think Australia didn’t have one chance today, maybe one half-chance with (Brett) Holman, but I think it was offside.

“But for me it is important that we are ready in 2010 in South Africa.”