Van Persie will captain Dutch in Rio
HOLLAND manager Louis van Gaal has named six Barclays Premier League players in his 23-man squad for the World Cup in Brazil — but Chelsea’s Patrick van Aanholt failed to make the cut.
Van Gaal, who will take over as Manchester United boss after the tournament, ruthlessly trimmed his provisional squad of 29 just hours before last night’s warm-up friendly with Ghana.
Left-back Van Aanholt, 23, who has been on loan at Vitesse Arnhem since January 2012, misses out after Van Gaal decided he did not need additional cover in that position in a squad captained by Robin van Persie.
That move is a clear signal that the Holland striker could also be appointed Manchester United captain for next season
It also shows van Gaal’s courage in his convictions that he did not need the match in Rotterdam to make a final call on his squad.
Newcastle United’s Tim Krul and Swansea’s Michel Vorm will provide cover for Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, while Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar takes his place among the defenders.
Swansea’s Jonathan de Guzman and Norwich’s Leroy Fer will fight for starting places in the midfield.
Four members of the squad went to the last two World Cups in Germany and South Africa: van Persie, Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, while three just went to the 2010 tournament: Vorm, Nigel de Jong and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Experienced midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was ruled out last Wednesday after suffering a calf injury during a training camp in Portugal.
PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet and four players from the Dutch Under-21 team: Quincy Promes, Jean-Paul Boetius, Karim Rekik and Tonny Vilhenna were also dropped.
Holland take on Wales at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday evening, before kicking off their World Cup campaign against defending champions Spain in Salvador on June 13. Australia and Chile make up Group B.