After debut for the Netherlands
Freiburg keeper Mark Flekken will also be in goal for the Dutch national team in the friendly against Germany. Bonds coach Louis van Gaal confirmed on Saturday evening after the 4-2 win against Denmark that the goalkeeper would “play again”. “I do that consciously, then he can show himself against Germany,” said van Gaal. The Netherlands welcome the DFB selection on Tuesday (8:45 p.m.) in Amsterdam for the classic.
The 28-year-old Flekken made his debut in the “Elftal” against the Danes and was overall satisfied with his first international match. The goalkeeper didn’t look too happy when the goalkeeper made it 1-1 by former Bundesliga professional Jannik Vestergaard because he hesitated when he ran out. “It’s true that he could have done a little more with the first goal,” said van Gaal. Apart from this mistake, the veteran coach was convinced of Flekken’s footballing skills: “We have to use him a lot more in the build-up game. I think it’s a plus that he can open the game, which allows us to keep playing football.”
Flekken is replacing actual Feyenoord Rotterdam number one Justin Bijlow (24), who is out of action for several months after foot surgery. Flekken, Joël Drommel (25; PSV Eindhoven) and Tim Krul (33; Norwich City) currently form the goalkeeper trio, in which the former is the most valuable player with a market value of 5.5 million euros.
Duo at the top: The most valuable Dutch people in the world
Flekken is a regular at SC Freiburg this season and has kept nine clean sheets in 25 Bundesliga appearances, which only Mainz player Robin Zentner (27) managed to do (to the statistics). The Dutchman increased his market value by €3m this season and caught the eye of van Gaal, who said last autumn that the goalkeeper “seems to be a very good goalkeeper”.
1st cap in Orange!
Mark Flekken#NEDDEN pic.twitter.com/Z8jh8IvUzj
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) March 27, 2022
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