Another relatively inexperienced member of the Netherlands squad, Joris Mathijsen did not make his international debut until the 3-0 win in Andorra in November 2004. The 26-year-old added just five more caps to his collection before the 23-man party for the World Cup was announced and his inclusion came as a major surprise. Mathijsen began his career as a trainee at Willem II before forcing his way into the first team in February 1999. The defender was a regular in the Willem II team between 2000 and 2004 before being sold to AZ Alkmaar, where he was part of the side that reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup last season.