Micky van de Ven made his debut for the Dutch national team tonight in the Johan Cruijff Arena. The former FC Volendam player came in for Nathan Aké in the 80th minute. The Dutch team, with Joey Veerman in the starting line-up for the first time, lost the European Championship qualifying match to France 1-2.
It was only the second time that national coach Ronald Koeman brought 22-year-old Van de Ven to the Dutch selection. At the beginning of September, the Tottenham Hotspur defender did not get any playing time. He was in the stands against Greece at home; in Ireland the Zaankanter remained on the bench.
Stormy
Van de Ven’s career has been stormy. More than two years ago he was still playing football in the first division at FC Volendam. After a (lost) arbitration case he moved to VfL Wolfsburg. Due to injuries, he did not get to play much in his first year in the Bundesliga. He became the second season an undisputed basic player. Last summer a top transfer to Tottenham followed for more than forty million euros.
Joey Veerman played his third international match, but was allowed to start in the starting line-up partly due to Frenkie de Jong’s injury. The Volendammer completed the ninety minutes.
Mbappé gave the French a comfortable 2-0 lead with two goals. Feyenoord’s Hartman brought the tension back into the match in the 83rd minute. Quilindschy Hartman also made his debut, as did goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and substitute Jeremie Frimpong.
Battle for second place
Because Greece won 0-2 when visiting Ireland, the Dutch team still has to work hard to reach the final round. The French have already qualified and the Dutch team must pass Greece in the group to become second in the group. The two countries will meet in Athens on Monday. The Dutch team starts with a deficit of three points, but has also played one match less.