[Trim]

Van Basten Drilling Dutch For Penalty Precision

Netherlands coach Marco van Basten is keen to cure the Dutch disease of failing in penalty shootouts, forcing his squad to practice spot kicks during training…

The Oranje have lost four times on penalties in their last seven major tournaments, only ending the rot at EURO 2004 against Sweden in the quarterfinals.

The likelihood of shootouts occurring has increased drastically following a recent change in UEFA regulations, which could see final group positions decided from the spot.

If two teams draw in their final group game to end up level overall on points, goal difference and goals scored, then a shootout will decide who finishes where.

Van Basten has attempted to ensure the Dutch overcome their poor penalty record by making each player practice from 12 yards until they score to end each training session.

But while their shooting from the spot may need work, keeping them out has proved decidedly less of a problem for the Dutch in recent times.

Good Hands

Veteran keeper Edwin Van der Sar became a Manchester United legend in Moscow last month when he saved Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka’s penalty in Moscow last month to secure the Champions League trophy for the Red Devils.

It was the second time in 12 months the 38-year-old had triumphed against the Blues during a shootout, having denied Claudio Pizarro, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips to clinch the Community Shield in August 2007.

Reserve shot-stopper Maarten Stekelenburg also has a reputation for saving penalties, having kept out all four he faced last season for Ajax in the Eridivisie.

At their first training session since arriving in Switzerland, Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink missed four consecutive penalties against all three Dutch keepers – the third being Feyenoord’s Henk Timmer.

Tough Task

“The second one was crucial as Van der Sar made almost the same save he did in the Champions League final and after that it all went wrong,” Vennegoor told reporters.

“But I don’t worry, I took several penalties for Celtic and scored so it will all work out.”

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel was the only other member of the squad to miss more than one penalty that day, but the 21-year-old has since been ruled out of the EUROs after tearing an ankle ligament.

Van Basten will hope his side can pass the group stage without resorting to shootouts, which will be a tough task as they are pooled in the so-called Group of Death alongside Italy, France and Romania.

Goal.com - Euro 2008 - Van Basten Drilling Dutch For Penalty Precision