Grp E: Holland vs Moldova Preview

Grp E: Holland vs Moldova Preview

Simply scoring goals is not enough for Holland striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar - he wants to feel involved in every game.

Huntelaar heads into the Euro 2012 qualifier against Moldova already having scored 10 goals in the Oranje's campaign, making him the top scorer in the qualifying competition.

With Holland sitting at the top of Group E, already having qualified without dropping a point so far, the pressure is off for Friday's game in Rotterdam.

However, Huntelaar admits he is hungry for more goals.

"These are the moments in a match you're waiting for and what you play for," he told the national team official website www.onsoranje.nl.

"Therefore I remember them all. I have a lot of patience, but I do want to be involved in the game.

"I must always touch the ball, because then I feel that I'm involved in the game.

"But I do want to score. I enjoy it less if I don't score."

He added: "You don't have to be like any other striker, just play your own game.

"So I have to score goals. Wait for your opportunities, because they will arrive."

Many of Huntelaar's goals have come in part thanks to the industry of Wesley Sneijder, who will miss the game with a groin strain.

That is likely to give an opportunity to Tottenham playmaker Rafael van der Vaart to start in the hole behind the striker, something Sneijder's form has prevented him doing of late.

"Wesley has done a fantastic job in the last year," Van der Vaart was quoted as saying on www.telegraaf.nl.

"In my eyes we should both play."

Van der Vaart played on the right for Tottenham in their last game, a 2-1 north London derby win over Arsenal, but showed his scoring prowess with the opening goal.

Holland are second in the FIFA rankings, on the back of a World Cup final appearance and an impressive qualifying campaign.

"That says something about our strength," said Van der Vaart.

"But with this group of players we must also win something."

Sneijder is not the only notable player missing for Holland.

Goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was ruled out earlier this week, joining Barcelona midfielder Ibrahim Afellay and Everton defender John Heitinga on the sidelines, while Arjen Robben has since been ruled out of both Friday's game and next week's clash with Sweden.

A statement on www.onsoranje.nl read: "Further medical examination on Wednesday revealed that Arjen Robben is not available for Oranje's last European Championship qualifier against Sweden."

After opening with a 2-0 win over Finland, Moldova's campaign has been a disappointment, with their only subsequent victory coming against San Marino.

They have also lost all three previous games against Holland.

With nothing to play for, Romanian coach Gavril Balint has shaken things up a bit, leaving out a number of his more experience players.


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