Ronald Koeman don talk say dem no don decide about Bart Verbruggen fitness for dia opening World Cup match against Japan on Sunday. Verbruggen bin comot for 67th minute for Netherlands 2-1 win over Uzbekistan earlier dis week after colliding with Abdukodir Khusanov from a corner.
The Brighton goalkeeper wey dem dey see as Dutch number one for di tournament, na Bayer Leverkusen Mark Flekken replace am for Icahn Stadium. Verbruggen keep three clean sheets for Netherlands World Cup qualifying campaign, but Koeman reveal say e no join team training on Wednesday.
“E no take part for training. We get to wait and see and hope say e fit play on Sunday,” Koeman tell press conference for team base. “Na only bruise, so we no know yet how things go be on Sunday. We dey hopeful, but we go see how far e really dey.”
Flekken don play 12 matches for im country since im debut for 2022, while third-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs get only one senior cap. “Who fit play for goal? We still get to decide dat. We go give clarity on dat during our discussions with di goalkeepers,” Koeman add.
Dis go be Netherlands 12th World Cup appearance, and no other team don finish as runners-up more often dan dem without winning di trophy (three times). Netherlands no don lose for dia last 16 group matches for World Cup (win 12, draw 4), wey be dia longest current unbeaten run, and dem no don lose dia last nine opening matches for FIFA flagship competition.
But apart from goalkeeper situation, Koeman dey also tink who go lead Oranje line for dia opening game. Memphis Depay na di top scorer (eight goals) and joint-top assist provider (four assists) for Netherlands for World Cup qualifiers, but e don dey struggle with thigh injury for di lead-up to di tournament.
“Na Wednesday, and we play on Sunday, but I tink if I still get doubts den I no do my homework properly,” Koeman say. “We know say Memphis don get some injuries and no play for recent weeks, but now e don come back. Every day e dey closer to im top level.”
“E na our all-time leading goal scorer and we need am, just like we need all di other players,” Koeman add.
Netherlands get big boost as Bart Verbruggen join group training on Friday. Verbruggen suffer hip injury for dia last friendly before World Cup, landing awkwardly on im hip during match against Uzbekistan. Di Brighton stopper, wey dem diagnose with bruised hip, dem take am off shortly after and replace am with Mark Flekken.
Di 23-year-old Verbruggen bin keep am apart from di group for di days after, working individual program to ease am back to full workload. Verbruggen join group practice on Friday, but e no clear if e last di full session, as Friday practice take place behind closed doors.
Netherlands open dia World Cup campaign on Sunday against Japan, wey Oranje go meet for Dallas Stadium for Arlington, Texas.
