Robben back for 'Oranje' date in Hungary
Bayern Munich striker Arjen Robben is set to appear for the Netherlands for the first time since the World Cup in South Africa after being named on Friday in the squad to face Hungary in two Euro 2012 qualifiers.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: March 19, 2011 10:00 AM IST
Bayern Munich striker Arjen Robben is set to appear for the Netherlands for the first time since the World Cup in South Africa after being named on Friday in the squad to face Hungary in two Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Robben became the subject of a virtual feud between Bayern and Holland after his German club claimed he returned from the 2010 World Cup injured, having not fully recovered from an injury sustained in a pre-tournament friendly.
The injury saga led to Robben sitting six months on the sidelines, amid a war of words between Bayern and Holland over who was to blame.
Both parties recently resolved the issue, however, and coach Bert van Marwijk welcomes Robben back less than a week after he scored a hat-trick for Bayern in a 6-0 rout of Hamburg.
Manchester City's Nigel de Jong also makes the 23-man line-up, although there is no place for veteran striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Netherlands, who top group E on 12 points from four matches, travel to Budapest on March 25 then host Hungary in Amsterdam four days later.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Michel Vorm (FC Utrecht), Sander Boschker (FC Twente), Jelle Ten Rouwelaar (NAC)
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart/GER), Urby Emanuelson (AC Milan/ITA), John Heitinga (Everton/ENG), Hedwiges Maduro (Valencia/ESP), Joris Mathijsen (Hamburg/GER), Erik Pieters (PSV Eindhoven), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory Van der Wiel (Ajax)
Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (Barcelona/ESP), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan/ITA), Theo Janssen (FC Twente), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City/ENG), Kevin Strootman (FC Utrecht), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan/ITA), Rafael Van der Vaart (Tottenham/ENG)
Strikers: Eljero Elia (Hamburg/GER), Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04/GER), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool/ENG), Robin Van Persie (Arsenal/ENG), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich/GER)