India makes its presence felt in Dutch squad for Euro 2012

It has been six years since a player of Indian origin played in an international football tournament. His name was Vikas Dhorasoo and he played for France in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Half a dozen years later, probably a more exciting prospect will join forces with the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder in a quest to win Euro 2012. But Luciano Narsingh, a player of Indian and Creole descent is not just another player. After Ajax did not find him up to the mark, he joined SC Heerenveen and has developed into one of the hottest prospects in European football. [caption id=“attachment_323542” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Narsingh plays for Dutch club SC Heerenveen. Reuters”]  [/caption] You may not have heard his name, but wait for a couple of years and it could be on your lips on a daily basis. At least that is what his stats indicate. In Heerenveen’s impressive campaign in the Dutch league this year, Narsingh has scored eight goals and set-up 22 goals for his teammates. Yes, that’s right: 22 assists in 34 appearances which makes him the Eredivisie’s most productive passer. Dutch football coach Bert van Marwijk knows what he is doing despite some critics questioning his decision to name two uncapped players in his final 23-man squad. “I spoke extensively with the dropouts and gave them an explanation,” Van Marwijk was quoted as saying by Xinhua. “They deserved an explanation after their good work. They can leave the training camp with their heads held high.” Both 18-year-old defender Willems and 21-year-old forward Narsingh were fielded in last Tuesday’s friendly against Bayern Munich (2-3 loss), but that match did not count as an official international. The inclusion of 33-year-old Wilfred Bouma was also surprising because the PSV defender played his last international at Euro 2008 against Romania. Ahead of Euro 2012 the Netherlands have scheduled friendly games against Bulgaria Saturday in Amsterdam where they suffered a 1-2 loss. They also will be up against Slovakia May 30 in Rotterdam and against Northern Ireland June 2 in Amsterdam. The Dutch start the tournament with the group match against Denmark June 9, before taking on Germany and Portugal. With Narsingh Yadav the wrestler touted for a medal in the London Olympics and Luciano Narsingh part of a squad which will be considered contenders for Euro 2012, this could just be the year of the Narsinghs! Here’s the full team. Goalkeepers: Tim Krul (Newcastle United), Maarten Stekelenburg (AS Roma), Michel Vorm (Swansea City) Defenders: Khalid Boulahrouz (VfB Stuttgart), Wilfred Bouma (PSV), John Heitinga (Everton), Joris Mathijsen (Malaga), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord), Gregory van der Wiel (Ajax), Jetro Willems (PSV) Midfielders: Ibrahim Afellay (FC Barcelona), Mark van Bommel (AC Milan), Nigel de Jong (Manchester City), Stijn Schaars (Sporting Portugal), Wesley Sneijder (Internazionale), Kevin Strootman (PSV), Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur) Forwards: Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Luuk de Jong (FC Twente), Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool), Luciano Narsingh (sc Heerenveen), Robin van Persie (Arsenal), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich). With inputs from IANS