Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 11:12 PM• Jeroen van Poppel • Last update: 23:17

Louis van Gaal has Sunday evening in the talk show Humberto gave a first explanation about his selection for the coming international match. The national coach of the Dutch is eager to use ‘the last opportunity’ to meet Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer and also explains why Feyenoord goalie Justin Bijlow is not among them. “I already indicated in my first press conference that we have a problem with the goalkeepers, and I say that for a reason,” Van Gaal told Humberto Tan.

Besides Pasveer, Jasper Cillessen (NEC), Mark Flek (SC Freiburg) and Andries Noppert have also been selected. “We have invited a lot of keepers,” says Van Gaal. “Tim Krul is also not there, but that is not discussed because he is at Norwich City. That is ridiculous, because we follow all those keepers. This is the last week that I can meet Remko Pasveer, for example. is doing well, and did well last year, but then he got injured and I couldn’t select him. Now I can select him one more time to get to know him so I can make an informed choice.”

Bijlow kept six international matches under Van Gaal last year, but is now the big absentee. “Justin is not playing great at the moment, and he knows that himself,” said the selector. Bijlow himself gave a reaction to the lack of an invitation on Sunday after Feyenoord’s top match at PSV (4-3 loss). “Whether I am surprised? A little bit,” said the Feyenoord keeper opposite ESPN. “No, I don’t think I’m in a lesser phase. Whether I’m in top form? Of course it can always be better and I also know what can be improved.”

Van Gaal is somewhat surprised by Bijlow’s words. “What is the difference between ‘being in a lesser phase’ and ‘not being in top form’?” said the national coach. “Self-criticism is usually strange for top footballers.” Bijlow was personally told that he is not with the Dutch. Bijlow was called, because he was previously selected. Everyone who was there last time and has not been called by me or Frans Hoek (the goalkeeper coach, ed.). Frans does the keepers, I do all the players. have not been there yet, such as Joey Veerman, I do not call. Ryan Gravenberch was with Jong Oranje last time, so he was not called. I explained to those I call why they were not selected. Then I also say: the “is not a disaster yet, but you have to deliver. That word ‘deliver’ has taken on a new lease of life since I said that about Georginio Wijnaldum, but that goes for all players.”

prostate cancer
Van Gaal announced to Tan on April 4 that he was suffering from prostate cancer. “It is a disease that you do not feel sick, a disease that you have to manage,” says the national coach now. “That’s really the only problem. I have enough energy to manage that. What it means: The problem is that you should have control over your urine, which of course is a lot less if your prostate is removed. I had a catheter in my bladder so that I don’t pee my pants, but that has to come back. That takes time. You have to be able to manage that. It goes very well. It doesn’t hinder my work. It has to do with energy I get energy from those guys, then you don’t even think about it.”