Due to a virus infection, no less than five internationals have left the training camp of the Dutch national team. It concerns Joey Veerman, Matthijs de Ligt, Sven Botman, Cody Gakpo and Bart Verbruggen. For Friday’s European Championship qualifier against France, national coach Ronald Koemen calls on Ryan Gravenberch, Kjell Scherpen and Stefan de Vrij as replacements.
It is particularly sour for Veerman that he had to go home. The Volendammer, employed by PSV, reported to the Orange for the first time last Tuesday. The midfielder has never been part of the final selection before.
It is another setback for Koeman at the start of his second period as national coach. On Sunday evening he was told that Frenkie de Jong was not available. The midfielder suffered an injury in Barcelona’s match against Real Madrid. Steven Bergwijn also signed out for the Orange squad after The Classic Ajax – Feyenoord.
De Ligt and Gakpo normally had base places against France on Friday. On Monday, the Dutch national team will play against Gibraltar in De Kuip. There will be a press conference from Koeman this afternoon at 4.30 pm.