Dutch take chance on duo

United and Arsenal pair included despite fitness fears

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 11th March 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Dutch take chance on duo

Van Basten: Surprise choices

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Holland coach Marco van Basten has named Edwin van der Sar and Robin van Persie in a provisional squad for a friendly against Austria later this month.

The duo are part of a 29-man group preparing for a game against the Euro 2008 co-hosts at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on 26th March.

Their inclusion has come as something of a surprise as Van der Sar is currently struggling with an injury and Van Persie has only recently recovered from a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Manchester United keeper Van der Sar was forced off with a groin problem at half-time in the Red Devils' FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday, while Arsenal striker Van Persie was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench for the Gunners' 0-0 draw with Wigan on Sunday.

The pair are part of a seven-man English-based contingent which also includes Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, Aston Villa's Wilfred Bouma, Wigan's Mario Melchiot and Blackburn's Andre Ooijer.

Van Basten will name his final squad for the game on 21st March.

Provisional Holland squad for the friendly with Austria on 26th March:

Van der Sar (Manchester United), Stekelenburg (Ajax), Timmer (Feyenoord); Bouma (Aston Villa), De Cler (Feyenoord), Emanuelson (Ajax), Heitinga (Ajax), Jaliens (AZ Alkmaar), Mathijsen (Hamburg), Melchiot (Wigan), Ooijer (Blackburn); Afellay (PSV Eindhoven), Van Bronckhorst, De Guzman (both Feyenoord), De Jong (Hamburg), Landzaat (Feyenoord), Maduro (Valencia), Mendes da Silva (AZ Alkmaar), Seedorf (AC Milan), Sneijder (Real Madrid), Van der Vaart (Hamburg), De Zeeuw (AZ Alkmaar); Babel (Liverpool), Huntelaar (Ajax), Koevermans (PSV Eindhoven), Kuyt (Liverpool), Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Van Persie (Arsenal), Vennegoor of Hesselink (Celtic).