Andries Noppert thinks he has a chance to be selected for the Dutch national team on Monday. The 29-year-old goalkeeper of sc Heerenveen will make his comeback under the crossbar with the Frisians against Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday after a long injury. A day later, national coach Ronald Koeman announced the final selection for the Nations League Final Four.
In conversation with ESPN Noppert first looks back on his injury in recent months. “It actually started after the World Cup,” said the goalie. “In the run-up to the match against Groningen (on January 22, ed.) I had a blow at the training. I played that match, but after that it went worse and worse.” After several examinations, it turned out that Noppert had an inguinal hernia. “That fracture was behind scar tissue, which made it difficult to see. It was a relief that they finally knew what it was, because it drove me crazy.”
???? Andries Noppert hopes for a return to the Dutch national team.
“I think 90 minutes should be enough to get selected”
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 27, 2023
In April, Noppert underwent surgery, after which his recovery went well. “I was able to train again fairly quickly and the recovery went well. When I drive to the stadium with the idea that I can play there again soon, it starts to itch again.” Last week, Heerenveen coach Kees van Wonderen already announced that Noppert will be back in the base against Go Ahead.
The final selection for the Final Four of the Nations League will then be announced on Monday. Noppert was not in the pre-selection, but remains hopeful. When asked whether he thinks that ninety minutes is enough to play in the selection, he replies: “It is not self-evident that I will be back in the Dutch national team as soon as I am fit. But I think 90 minutes should be enough to get selected. But there are other people who have learned for it, they make the choice.”