|
THE HAGUE, July 30-- Dutch head coach Bert van Marwijk and captain are happy with the World Cup qualification draw on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. The Netherlands, runners-up and 2010 World Cup, were pooled in European qualification Group D with Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra. "At first glance it seems a tough group," Bert van Marwijk said just after the draw in a press release of the Dutch FA. "When I look at our direct competitors for the top places, Turkey, Hungary and Romania, those are teams playing good soccer." The Netherlands and Hungary are currently in the same Euro 2017 qualification group as well. Turkey is led by a Dutch coach, Guus Hiddink. "The last time we played against the Turks in Amsterdam we had a quite difficult game (1-0 win)," he added. "The same goes for Romania. The Hungarians we know well, this year we played them twice (4-0 and 5-3 wins). But all in all it does not seem an insurmountable draw." "We know Romania and Hungary well", captain Mark van Bommel said. "Turkey is a tough football country, especially if you're playing in Turkey. This also applies also for Romania." "But with our capabilities we can qualify for the World Cup in Brazil," he continued. "In my opinion we are the favorites in this group. Especially when you consider that we were unbeaten ahead of the 2010 World Cup and are still unbeaten in the current road to Euro 2017. I'm glad we avoided a country like France in qualifying." | 
