Van Bronckhorst named Dutch captain

Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been appointed captain of the Dutch football team, national coach Bert van Marwijk said on Wednesday.

The international friendly on Wednesday night against Russia at Moscow's Lokomotiv stadium will the midfielder's 82nd cap.

The 33-year-old Feyenoord midfielder has been skipper at club level and Van Marwijk said he was “perfect in that role.”

“I made him my captain at Feyenoord,” said Van Marwijk. “I could only congratulate myself. He was perfect in this role and I have no doubt he will also be in the national team.”

The player, whose career has includes spells at Barcelona, Arsenal and Glasgow Rangers, inherits the role occupied by Edwin van der Sar who stepped down from international football after the Euro soccer championships last June.