The Oranje were placed in the same pool as Scotland, Norway, Iceland and FYR Macedonia and Van Basten is confident his men will progress to the finals in South Africa in three years' time.

"Only Macedonia don't play a physical game," Van Basten told AD Sportwereld. "We can beat the other teams by playing our football.

"We have been placed in groups with teams from Eastern Europe in recent years and they are very technical.

"Now we have to go north which suits us, although we must not be arrogant."

Van Basten has earmarked Scotland as the biggest threat.

The Dutch trounced Scotland 6-1 on aggregate in a play-off for the 2004 European Championships - winning 6-0 after losing 1-0 at Hampden Park - but former Ajax and AC Milan striker Van Basten believes Scottish football has been on the up ever since.

"I rank Scotland higher than when we played them in the play-offs," he added.

"Scotland has two clubs in the Champions League with many Scottish players. That says something. Our club football clearly isn't that good at the moment."

Van Basten is excited at the new crop of Dutch players coming through, however, and believes the future is bright.

"We started three years ago with many new players and had to build a new Dutch team," he said.

"The goal was Euro 2008, we agreed on that then.

"We then qualified reasonably easily for the World Cup. The race towards Euro 2008 was more difficult but we are on course.

"We have good players. Players like Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Rafael van der Vaart can seize the opportunity in the summer, but they can be at their strongest in South Africa two years later.

"There is more than enough quality in the team. It's nice and fun to work with players like Van Persie."

Van Basten is due for talks on his future with the Dutch FA (KNVB) in December but he admits the possibilities for the current squad could sway any decision.

"Their presence certainly plays a role in my thoughts about the future," he said. "It is simple - being coach of the national team has pros and cons.

"When I speak with the KNVB in December I will speak about my wishes, the wishes of the KNVB, how the finances are and what the possibilities are."