Dick may turn to Overmars

Former Arsenal favourite Marc Overmars is poised to be given a chance to end his international career for Holland in style.

Dutch manager Dick Advocaat admits that he is considering a change for tonight's semi-final against Portugal by giving Overmars a start instead of his out-of-form right winger Andy van der Meyde.

"Andy didn't play a very good match against Sweden and I wasn't happy with his performance," said Advocaat. "So I could choose to play with Marc Overmars against Portugal."

Advocaat these days likes to use the 31-year-old Overmars as a kind of 'super sub' but he has twice looked so much more effective than van der Meyde when he's come on in this tournament that he may be played from the start tonight.

It could mark one last great opportunity for the Barcelona man, who appeared in the Euro 2000 semi-final but who has already announced his international retirement, along with Frank de Boer and Jaap Stam, after this event finishes. "These guys have already seen semifinals and they're desperate to make a final," admitted Advocaat.

The same goes for Portugal's "golden generation" of Fernando Couto, Rui Costa and Luis Figo but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted that he wouldn't hesitate hauling off the team's totem, Figo, again tonight if necessary as he did amid much drama against England.

While both men were keen to insist there was no rift, Scolari warned: "I don't see one player, I see the entire team and I don't care which player has to come off."