Andries Noppert currently seems to have preference over Justin Bijlow in the keepers’ file of the Dutch national team. This was hinted by national coach Ronald Koeman during the press conference of the Dutch national team at the KNVB Campus in Zeist. The 59-year-old man of choice determines, together with goalkeeper coach Patrick Lodewijks, which goalkeepers are selected. Although Noppert and Bijlow are injured, they are definitely in the picture, according to Koeman. “Certainly Noppert, given his World Cup.”
Noppert is currently struggling with a nasty abdominal/groin injury. Sc Heerenveen coach Kees van Wonderen reported last month that the boom-long closing post will not return under the bar with the Frisians for the time being. Feyenoord goalkeeper Bijlow sustained an injury to his wrist in February. The team from Rotterdam hope to have the Rotterdammer again after the international break. Noppert currently has five international matches for the Netherlands, Bijlow kept six.
Koeman wants to clarify his intended first goalkeeper in the the Dutch in the coming period. “I think that is very important.” The currently injured goalkeepers are still in the picture. “Noppert and Bijlow were of course absolutely in the picture. Certainly Noppert, given his World Cup, but he is injured. Then you switch and choose someone else.” During the matches against France and Gibraltar, Koeman will choose from three goalkeepers. Mark Fleks (SC Freiburg), Jasper Cillessen (NEC Nijmegen) and Bart Verbruggen (RSC Anderlecht) have been called up for the European Championship qualifying matches.
Cillessen thinks he is in good shape at Koeman, he said in conversation with the Gelderlander. “I am lucky that this national coach has a lot of confidence in me. What that means for my playing time, we’ll see next week. I know Mark well, because we were together before at the Dutch and I have also spoken to Bart a few times, because we have the same glove sponsor. He is doing fantastic at Anderlecht. I know that I am also doing well this season, but it is what the national coach wants.” Of all the names mentioned, Cillessen played by far the most international matches: no fewer than 63 pieces.
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