Sneijder named as Netherlands captain

Rome: Wesley Sneijder will captain the Netherlands for the first time on Wednesday night, after manager Louis Van Gaal named his starting XI ahead of the friendly against Belgium.

The former Bayern Munich coach was appointed as national team boss in the wake of Bert van Marwijk`s disastrous Euro 2012 campaign, which saw the team fail to progress beyond the group stage of the competition.

Former skipper Mark van Bommel announced his international retirement at the end of the tournament, and the Inter playmaker admitted that he would be honored to take over the armband.

Elsewhere, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who has often played second fiddle to Robin Van Persie, under Van Marwijk, has been named ahead of the Arsenal man up front.

Meanwhile, Ajax youngster Ricardo van Rhinjn has been handed a start at right back, with Jetro Willems continuing on the left-hand side of defense, despite criticism of his Euro 2012 performances.

John Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen have kept their slots at the heart of defense and Rafael van der Vaart retains his place as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for his 100th international appearance.

Full line-up: Stekelenburg; Van Rhijn, Heitinga, Mathijsen, Willems; De Jong; Sneijder, Van der Vaart; Narsingh, Huntelaar, Robben.

BDST: 1623 HRS, August 15, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor