The Dutch national team was shocked this morning after five players turned out to be ill. National coach Ronald Koeman dismisses the suggestions that it is because of the chicken curry that the players ate last night. “Some staff members already had complaints on Tuesday evening,” says the 60-year-old Zaandammer.
Joey Veerman, Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Cody Gakpo and Bart Verbruggen had to drop out of the Orange squad this morning. “I was shocked by the message from the doctor that five boys were sick. I just saw Joey Veerman. He was waiting for a taxi. Sven Botman had just left. And then you have to switch.”
After the loss, the Orange suddenly had only twenty players, two of which were goalkeepers. “I didn’t think it was necessary to go back to 25 players. With Stefan de Vrij and Ryan Gravenberch there, we now have all positions doubled.” Keeper Kjell Scherpen was also added to the Orange selection.
Chicken curry
Koeman does not want to comment on suggestions that the virus comes from chicken curry. The players had dinner in the hotel in Zeist last night and a group of five had stomach flu complaints. Captain Virgil van Dijk had also eaten that, but is not bothered by it. Koeman also wants to stay away from the idea that the chicken curry is the culprit, because according to the national coach, some members of the technical staff were already not feeling well on Tuesday evening.
The Dutch national team will play against France tomorrow evening in Paris. The first European Championship qualifier kicks off at 8.45 pm at the Stade de France. On Monday, the Orange will take on Gibraltar.