Mark Flek will also be in the starting line-up of the Dutch National Team against Germany on Tuesday. National coach Louis van Gaal also had compliments in store for the Orange debutant on Saturday evening.
“Today I saw more balls back on the keeper than usual and I think that is a plus, because Mark has the capabilities to continue playing football,” said Van Gaal about the keeper from Bocholtz, who, according to him, played with conviction.
Also read: Fleks starts international career with 4-2 victory over Denmark
‘He can do that’
“We should actually use him a lot more,” said the national coach after the 4-2 win in the friendly against Denmark. “With him we get out of the pressure of the opponent.” Van Gaal thought it was fine that Flek regularly defends right through the sixteen-meter area. “He does that with confidence and he can do it.”
Goal
Van Gaal gave a limited opinion on the role of Fleks in the first Danish goal. Daley Blind lost the aerial duel to Jannik Vestergaard and Flek came hesitant from his goal line, but the keeper was also unable to resolve the situation. “I understood that he could have done more there,” said the coach.
Base against Germany
On Tuesday, the Orange squad, which operated for the first time with three central defenders against Denmark, will play a practice match against Germany in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Bundesliga goalkeeper Fleks then starts again in the starting lineup. “I do that on purpose, so he can show himself,” said Van Gaal.
‘Similar level’
Whether Flek can also become the first goalkeeper in the long term, Van Gaal left in the middle. “Now I have the chance to see him. Justin Bijlow is injured, he has to come back first and then prove himself again, that will take a while. Bijlow, Flek and Cillessen are of a similar level.”
Peace
Defender Matthijs de Ligt was also complimentary about the goalkeeper. “He has done an excellent job. He is a keeper of the Dutch school, even though he ‘grew up’ in Germany. “He has good feet and also radiates peace. I have experienced playing with him as very pleasant.”