National coach Louis van Gaal has included AZ midfielder Jordy Clasie in the pre-selection of the Dutch national team. That is remarkable because the born Haarlemmer played his last international match in November of 2016.
Clasie, who played seventeen times for the Netherlands, is a fixed value in the team of AZ coach Pascal Jansen this season. The thirty-year-old midfielder was in the starting lineup in almost all matches. Last night he lost 2-0 to Ajax with the Alkmaarders in the KNVB Cup semi-finals†
Frimpong yes, Gravenberch not
Also born Amsterdammer Jeremie Frimpong (21) is a surprising name in the preselection. The right-back has impressed this season at Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. He’s there for the first time. Ajax player Ryan Gravenberch is missing, because he is in the preliminary selection of the Dutch Juniors.
The Orange squad will play an exhibition game against Denmark on Saturday, March 26. On Tuesday, March 29, Germany will be the practice opponent. Both matches will be played in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Van Gaal will announce his final roster on Friday 18 March.