Netherlands C | Selection Revisited - Willem van Riel

Here we are once again - Holland C selection time.

For readers who do not know the concept: Holland C is a fictional squad selected like the

(very real) England C side, where only amateur players are eligible. Holland C does have

some history and, after following AnalystsBar who are actively engaged in the England C

selection, I put my own Holland C squads together for the last two seasons based on data

and live scouting. I also put a restriction on age, only U23 players allowed, ensuring that only

the most promising players who play in the Tweede Divisie, the Dutch 3 rd tier, are selected

before they make their progressive moves in the January or summer window. I have also

decided to exclude players of Jong teams at this level to ensure only truly amateur players

are showcased.

In recent times we have seen players like Offerhaus, Zonneveld (both previous at QB and

now with Telstar in the Eredivisie), Van Kempen (MVV), Sille (FC Den Bosch), Drakpe (FC

Dordrecht), Meerstadt (De Graafschap), Van Duijn (Jong AZ), Hetli (Telstar as well) being

included in my Holland C team - demonstrating the depth of talent in the Dutch Tweede

Divisie. There are also other (older) players who have made the progressive step from this

level with success, with special mentions to Burgering (from GVVV to FC Den Bosch) and

Mulder (from HHC to FC Emmen, where he is their captain).

Furthermore it is noticeable that increasingly Eerste Divisie teams, the Dutch 2 nd tier, teams

actively scouting in the 3 rd tier.

A new season means a lot of fresh players because players are not U23 anymore, made a

step, got injured etc. So, here we go!

Keeper:

Finn Murre

The left-footed keeper of newly promoted HSV Hoek, who are doing extremely well and are

being coached by Gerard de Nooijer, is 1.94m and played previously at Jong Sparta before

moving to Hoek. This season he has achieved two clean sheets and is ranked fourth in

number of saves (29). Expect a keeper who is not afraid to leave his line as he has done this

already 27 times and is the highest ranked keeper in this metric.

Right back:

Dylan van Wageningen

The versatile former Jong Sparta player is now playing for VV Katwijk and, in recent games,

started as a midfielder. This is not strange because many consider him a midfielder, and I did

see him playing there, but also saw him play as a right back for Jong Sparta. With an

average passing accuracy of more than 80% in last seasons he is a solid player and is the

ideal versatile player who could play in various positions and will not disappoint.

Right centreback:

Ruben Heeremans

The 1.98m tall Koninklijke HFC defender has played already 68 matches in the Tweede

Divisie. He was in my squad last season as well. However, because HFC always start with 3

central defenders it is difficult to see how he will perform in a system with 2 central

defenders. It is a player who can read the game and always keeps calm, do not expect

frivolity, what you see is what you get. It is remarkable that although he is almost 2m he is

not a good header, in aerial duels (penalty area) he can hold himself.

Left centreback:

Jesse Giebels

The left footed centre back of Kozakken Boys did impress last season in the 4 th tier but is

seemingly happy to do the same one division higher. His passing accuracy is above 89%

and his passing accuracy for progressive passes is above average as well. In the metric ball

progression per minute he ranks 6 th , especially for such a young defender on this level he is

not afraid to have a significant impact in Kozakken Boys' build up.

Left back:

Ronny Boakye

The left-footed left back, who played for Jong Ado Den Haag before, impresses already with

3 assists and contributing to Quick Boys attacking style of play. His passing accuracy might

be a little bit lower than the other defenders, but the 3 assists do show it could be valuable to

take risks.

In midfield we have three central midfielders as now there is not a particularly good option

available for the Attacking Midfield position due to injuries or inconsistent starts.

Central midfield:

Al Abd Al Hamd

The (defensive) midfielder of Excelsior Maassluis is doing very well in his first season in the

3 rd tier after he left Jong FC Dordrecht. He is quite a similar player to his partner in central

midfield at Maassluis Van Eerden, who is also quite close to being included into this squad.

Al Abd Al Hamd is more of a dribbler while Van Eerden is a real passing player.

Jens Guiting

While being a left centre back for most of the time at Jong Almere he starts more as a central

(defensive) midfielder and not without success. Last week he scored the winner in the derby

versus their neighbours IJsselmeervogels. So, we really must wait and see what will happen

in the coming fixtures, but it could be that he is a good fit in the heart of the team at

Spakenburg. The fact that he is seen as a central defender makes him versatile as well,

which could be an advantage in case teams will consider him.

Hessel Eikelboom

Eikelboom joined HHC last season from D’Olde Veste. Dutch 5 th tier. He played quite close to

their centre backs, HHC started the season incredibly good and did not give away many

goals. Great to see that a player who was last season in 5 th tier now plays as a regular and

vital player at a high-flying 3 rd tier team, good recruitment by HHC.

Right winger:

Ezechiel Fiemawhle, the 20-year-old right winger, played previously at FC Volendam and

must fill big boots (as Asante left Rijnsburgse Boys for MVV this summer). With 5,3 dribble

attempts per 90 he has been ranked 12th and his success rate with 64% is really high so the

start is very promising. The left footed attacker also did score 2 goals already.

Striker:

David Garden

Quick Boys contracted Drexhage from BVV Barendrecht, who did well last season but so far

Garden has been their number one in this position. Last season's champions needed to finda new striker because Zonneveld left. Garden who also played previously at FC Eindhoven and Jong Almere is quite unstoppable now: 7 goals in 702 minutes so he is close to one goal every match. He does not dribble that much but when he does, he is successful (95%).

Left winger:

Sidi Jalloh

Jalloh is Kozakken Boys s left winger and because they have another great winger on the

right side (Hassan) the Boys are really a team where the danger can come from every angle.

Jalloh had an unusual path so far with also playing for Aldershot Towns U19 and longer ago

he was one year in Feijenoords academy. Jalloh is a right footed winger and has already

notched 2 assists so far. His dribble success rate is not that good but because he is not

afraid to do so - it causes opponents defenders plenty of problems.

---

Written by Willem van Riel | @DutchProFootballScout

Editor: Colin Sisson | @colin_sisson 

Editor: Richard Ogando | @notts_stats

Get in Touch

Enquiries: analysts.bar@gmail.com 

X: @AnalystsBar