Five players out as viral infection hits Netherlands squad

ZEIST, Netherlands (AP) — Five gamers within the Netherlands squad to face World Cup finalist France of their opening European Championship qualifier have been despatched residence after contracting a viral an infection.

Liverpool ahead Cody Gakpo, Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Ligt together with Sven Botman, Joey Veerman and Bart Verbruggen all left the coaching camp, the Dutch federation mentioned on Thursday. It didn’t elaborate on the virus.

The departures have been one other blow to teach Ronald Koeman forward of the primary match of his second stint answerable for the nationwide workforce. Already this week, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Ajax winger Steven Bergwijn dropped out attributable to accidents.

Koeman sought to minimize the absences, saying he nonetheless had confidence in his workforce.

“I have two players in every attacking position,” he mentioned. “On paper, I have six forwards and that is enough for me.”

Koeman known as up Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, Vitesse Arnhem’s Kjell Scherpen and Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij as replacements for the 5 in poor health gamers.

The Netherlands performs France on the Stade de France on Friday in a Group B qualifier earlier than returning residence to tackle Gibraltar on Monday in Rotterdam.

Koeman mentioned France has nice gamers all around the pitch, however singled out Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat trick within the World Cup remaining, a participant “who can change a game on his own.”