Van Basten drops Kuyt squad

(AFP) Friday, February 1, 2008


Netherlands coach Marco van Basten left striker Dirk Kuyt, in a 21-man squad named on Friday for next week's friendly against Croatia.

Kuyt made his debut under Van Basten in September 2004 and won 35 caps during the 43 matches with him as a coach.

But the striker scored seven goals for Liverpool this season and has not found the net in his last 11 games.

His absence in the game, on Wednesday in Split, which is designed to help prepare the squad for the UEFA EURO 2008, also reflects a change in the system of Van Basten.

"The system that we can be compared to Liverpool ... and its performance is not good enough," said Van Basten.

"We will now move forward with a sort of 4-2-3-1 system."

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie are still within the framework of an injury, but Van Basten hoped that they will soon be back at the club.

EURO 2008 will be Van Basten's final matches as national coach and he also spared a thought for his own future.

"I have already spoken with Ajax and told them I am interested but the club said there are also other candidates," he said.

"We made a second appointment, but it will be with my agent and I will not be present."

The Dutch will also play Austria, Ukraine, Denmark and Wales in friendly matches before the tournament begins on June 9 against world champions Italy in Bern, Switzerland.