Dutch change system for Luxembourg game

By Theo Ruizenaar

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) - Netherlands coach Marco van Basten will drop his team's traditional 4-3-3 system for Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Luxembourg.

The Dutch are second in Group G with 23 points from 10 matches, three points behind leaders Romania, and will guarantee a place in the finals with victory here.

Injuries to wingers Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie have forced Van Basten to adjust his plans although he does not want to put a 4-4-2 label on the system.

"I get a bit tired of this discussion," Van Basten told reporters on Thursday. "For me it seems more like a style with four defenders, two midfielders and four strikers.

"It all has to do with the absence of Robben and Van Persie but also the fact our wingers could not make the difference in some (recent) matches."

If the Dutch go through on Saturday, Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar may decline to play the final qualifier in Belarus on Wednesday.

"There is an agreement I will only play in competitive matches," said Van der Sar, who is poised to win his 122nd cap against Luxembourg.

"There are a lot of important matches (coming up) in England so I don't know if I will travel to Belarus."