National coach Louis van Gaal has announced the final selection of the Dutch national team. Mark Fleks and Noa Lang have been included in the 26-strong selection by the elector. Compared to the pre-selection, Steven Bergwijn and Devyne Rensch have dropped out. Bergwijn is injured, while Rensch does not get to play at Ajax.
Louis van Gaal about the two newcomers in the group: “Noa Lang is doing well at Club Brugge. Of course I have already indicated that we are not big on our wingers. So we are looking for opportunities in those positions. Then I would like to give the opportunity to a young player,” said the national coach in a press release from the KNVB. “We have included four goalkeepers in this selection. Mark Fleks is new compared to last time. I would like to see him to get a good picture of him. He is showing good things in the Bundesliga.”
The Dutch national team will play two matches in the World Cup qualifying campaign at the beginning of October. On October 8 (8:45 PM) the the Dutch squad will visit Latvia, while a home game will follow in De Kuip against Gibraltar on October 11 (8:45 PM). After the resounding 6-1 victory against Turkey with thirteen points from six matches, the Netherlands is at the top of Group G. Norway has the same number of points, but a much less good goal difference. In November, the Norwegians will visit the Dutch.
The final selection of the Dutch:
Target: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), 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), Tyrell Malacia (Feyenoord), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan) )
Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch (Ajax), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Guus Til (Feyenoord), Georginio Wijnaldum (Paris Saint-Germain)
Attack: Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Luuk de Jong (Barcelona), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Wout Weghorst (VfL Wolfsburg)