Dutch in hot soup over searing KL heat

13/01/2002

THE Dutch are not worried about their World Cup opponents, because their
fear for the searing Kuala Lumpur heat overrides everything else.
Yesterday, right after they arrived in Kuala Lumpur for the Six-Nation
on Friday involving Holland, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and
Pakistan, chief coach Joost Bellaart's first question was: "Where can I
get my hands on water. I need plenty of mineral water bottles for the
training tomorrow (today)."
And to get themselves ready for the heat in Kuala Lumpur, because it is
below freezing in Holland right now, Bellaart's plans leading to the 2002
Kuala Lumpur World Cup will include a 10-day stint in Cairo and then it is
eight days on the sunny beaches of Kuantan.
"After the Six-Nation ends on the 26th, we will head for home and
conduct a week of physical training indoors and then leave for Egypt to
get used to the heat. We will be in Cairo for 10 days and play two matches
against the Egyptian side.
"After that, we will break camp and allow the players some time to be
with their families. On Feb 14, we will arrive in Kuantan and stay there
for eight days and also play a match against Germany.
"Kuantan will be our tapering down period where the boys will be allowed
to enjoy themselves with some swimming and resting on the beach to get
mentally prepared to defend the World Cup title," said Bellaart.
Holland have also arranged for a match against Australia in the middle
of February but that is still subject to approval.
For the Six-Nation, the coach will be content if he can get his players
to play as a team.
"Of course we will be looking for good results and everybody will expect
that since we hold the World Cup and Olympic titles, but I will be more
than happy if I can get the players to play as a team and take things from
there."
(END)