Less than three months on from their Euro 2004 defeat by the Czech Republic, the Netherlands begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against the same opponents on Wednesday with a new-look side.
Just three players -- Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids and Johnny Heitinga -- who played in that 3-2 loss in Aveiro will pull on a Dutch shirt at the Amsterdam Arena in the Group One qualifier.
New national coach Marco van Basten, who took over from Dick Advocaat after the Portugal tournament, is set to field an attacking line-up despite the absence of suspended striker Ruud van Nistelrooy and injured winger Arjen Robben.
Feyenoord strike pairing Romeo Castelen and Dirk Kuijt will partner experienced Pierre van Hooijdonk up front while defenders Khalid Boulahrouz, Andre Ooijer and Heitinga are charged with keeping the Czech forwards quiet.
Czech coach Karel Bruckner is without an almost complete first choice midfield through injury with captain Pavel Nedved, Tomas Galasek, Vladimir Smicer and Karel Poborsky, the country's most capped player, sidelined. Only Tomas Rosicky remains from the Czechs' Euro 2004 midfield.
The Netherlands have won just one of their last six games against the Czechs, who they also faced in their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign.
Both sides will want to make a positive start to World Cup qualifying with Romania winning their first two games to lead the group on a maximum six points. Finland, Macedonia, Andorra and Armenia are also in Group One.
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