Netherlands captain Robin van Persie scored the winner in the 1-0 defeat of Ghana last night.Coach Louis van Gaal cut six players from his preliminary squad yesterday as the Netherlands named their final 23-man roster for the World Cup in Brazil, just hours before their warm-up international against Ghana in Rotterdam.
There was only one surprise as 20-year-old centre-back Terence Kongolo kept his place in the squad despite being taken off at half-time on his international debut against Ecuador last week, while Patrick van Aanholt fell out of contention when he was expected to be chosen as a back-up left-back.
Van Gaal also dropped PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet and four players from the Dutch under-21 side who had not been at last week’s training camp in Portugal but were preparing for a European Championship qualifier against Scotland.
Experienced midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was ruled out of contention on Wednesday after suffering a calf injury in Portugal.
The final selection for Brazil includes four players who have been to the last two World Cups in Germany and South Africa – Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and Robin van Persie.
Nigel de Jong, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Michel Vorm also went to the 2010 edition, where the Dutch finished runners-up to Spain.
The Netherlands kick off their World Cup campaign against Group B rivals Spain in Salvador on June 13.
Meanwhile, Robin van Persie’s sixth-minute goal handed the Dutch a narrow 1-0 win over Ghana in last night’s friendly.
The 23-man squad
Goalkeepers: Cillessen (Ajax), Krul (Newcastle United), Vorm (Swansea).
Defenders: Blind (Ajax), De Vrij, Janmaat, Kongolo, Indi (all Feyenoord), Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Vlaar (Aston Villa), Veltman (Ajax).
Midfielders: Clasie (Feyenoord), De Guzman (Swansea City), De Jong (Milan), Fer (Norwich City), Robben (Bayern Munich), Sneijder (Galatasaray), Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Van Persie (Manchester United).