NETHERLANDS : PLAYERS TO WATCH

When healthy and in form, forward Ruud van Nistelrooy is one of the world's best. He scored seven qualifying goals and had 25 in 47 international matches through the winter. Goalkeeper and captain Edwin van der Sar, who has kept Tim Howard on the bench at Manchester United, knows how to keep his cool under pressure and produced several key saves during qualifying. The versatile Phillip Cocu excels at midfielder, but can play central defense as well.

ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United/ENG), Maarten Stekelenburg (Ajax) and Henk Timmer (AZ Alkmaar)
Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (SV Hamburg/GER), Giovanni van Bronckhorst (Barcelona/ESP), Tim de Cler (AZ Alkmaar), Kew Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Jan Kromkamp (Liverpool/ENG), Joris Mathijsen (AZ Alkmaar), André Ooijer (PSV Eindhoven), Johnny Heitinga (Ajax)
Midfielders: Mark van Bommel (Barcelona/ESP), Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven), Denny Landzaat (AZ Alkmaar), Hedwiges Maduro (Ajax), Wesley Sneijder (Ajax) and Rafael van der Vaart (SV Hamburg/GER)
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Ajax), Dirk Kuijt (Feyenoord), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United/ENG), Robin van Persie (Arsenal/ENG), Arjen Robben (Chelsea/ENG) and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (PSV Eindhoven)