The final selection of the Dutch national team for the friendly against Denmark and Germany has been announced. National coach Louis van Gaal surprisingly chooses to bring in Hans Hateboer (Atalanta) and Jordan Teze (PSV). Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord) and Luuk de Jong (Barcelona) are eliminated from the first selection round. Rick Karsdorp (AS Roma) is thus sidelined again after his critical interview, despite the problems in the right back position. Jordy Clasie (AZ) retains preference over Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), who will stay at home, just like in the pre-selection.
It comes as no surprise that Bijlow and Frimpong were not selected. Bijlow, normally first choice of Van Gaal, is out for the rest of the season due to a foot injury. Frimpong is also no longer in action this year: the defender of Bayer Leverkusen suffered a serious ankle injury last Sunday in the game with 1. FC Köln (0-1 loss). For Frimpong, the injury was extra sour, as the 21-year-old could make his debut for the Dutch national team.
Karsdorp gave a response at the beginning of March to the lack of an invitation for the Dutch. “Actually, I have never heard anything from the KNVB,” said the right back of AS Roma, who had hoped for more. “Yes, last year with the European Championship, then I was in the pre-selection for a while. I just have to be honest. At some point, new players will also come.” And so he no longer counts on the Dutch. “Getting something out of my head is different from being unavailable, but I’ve accepted it easily.” Even after Frimpong’s injury, the ex-Feyenoord player is not among them: Hateboer of Atalanta gets the chance.
the Dutch has already qualified for the World Cup. In the run-up to the world championship, Van Gaal’s team is practicing against Denmark and Germany. Saturday, March 26, the duel with the Danes is scheduled in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, three days later the Dutch national team will play against the Germans in the same stadium. In Denmark, Christian Eriksen can make his comeback for the national team more than nine months after his cardiac arrest.
The full selection†
Target: Tim Krul (Norwich City), Joël Drommel (PSV), Mark Flek (SC Freiburg)
Defense: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Hans Hateboer (Atalanta), Tyrell Malacia (Feyenoord), Jurriën Timber (Ajax) , Jordan Teze (PSV), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan), Owen Wijndal (AZ)
Midfield: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris Saint-Germain), Jordy Clasie (AZ)
Attack: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham Hotspur), Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Wout Weghorst (Burnley)