Justin Bijlow does not regret that he missed last Tuesday’s crucial World Cup qualifier between the Dutch national team and Norway (2-0). The current first keeper of the Dutch did not come out unscathed from the encounter with Montenegro on Sunday before and therefore had to make the ‘terrible decision’ not to play. Bijlow calls it a wise choice; one he wouldn’t have taken three years ago.
The Feyenoord keeper ‘just’ filled the ninety minutes under the bar during the debacle in Montenegro (2-2), in which it went wrong. “I didn’t come out of that game completely fit and I didn’t think it was wise for myself to play, certainly not for the team,” Bijlow said after Feyenoord’s 4-0 win over PEC Zwolle in conversation with ESPN. “He (national coach Louis van Gaal, ed.) wanted to know a day in advance. I said, “I can’t give you any guarantees.” I think that was a wise decision.”
Bijlow believes that he also shows that he is developing himself with these kinds of decisions. “I don’t think I would have done this three years ago,” the goalkeeper continues. “It was terrible, but I’m glad we made it to the World Cup.” Van Gaal himself also spoke nice words about the young closing post last week. “If I have to appoint a replacement, it will not be at the last minute,” Van Gaal said of the situation. Bijlow himself made the decision not to play. I think that’s a big compliment. A 23-year-old boy doesn’t do that so quickly. I thought that was great.”
Jasper Cillessen was eventually preferred over Mark Flek and Tim Krul in the game against Norway and hardly had to take action in the 2-0 victory. The Dutch national team thus qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The next international match is planned between 21 and 29 March next year; The the Dutch squad will then face off against opponents to be determined in two exhibition games.