Home » Oranje Blog » Koeman calls Meerdink for first time for games against Malta and Finland
Oranje Gears Up for Key Qualifiers Against Malta and Finland
The Netherlands national team is set to continue its World Cup qualifying campaign with two important matches this October. Ronald Koeman’s squad will first face Malta on Thursday October 9, followed by a home match against Finland on Sunday, October 12.
After strong performances earlier in the year — including an 8–0 thrashing of Malta and a solid 2–0 win away in Finland — Oranje will look to maintain momentum and stay top of Group G.
Finland are always organized and tough to break down, while Malta will likely sit deep and look to frustrate. Still, with discipline and sharp finishing, the Netherlands are clear favorites in both games.
Six points from these fixtures would be a major step toward qualification — and Koeman knows there’s no room for error.
Mexx Meerdink called for first time
Koeman’s brought in Mexx Meerdink to boost the attack — and let’s be honest, he needs the help. Brian Brobbey isn’t getting much game time at Sunderland and seems out of the mix for now. Weghorst is injured again at Ajax, though somehow still makes the squad. And even Memphis, the all-time top scorer, isn’t exactly firing on all cylinders. So yeah, throwing Meerdink into the mix gives Koeman something new to work with — maybe even a bit of energy up front.
This is the full Dutch squad:
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Defenders: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jeremie Frimpong (Liverpool), Quilindschy Hartman (Burnley), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton & Hove Albion), Jurriën Timber (Arsenal), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter)
Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Jerdy Schouten (PSV), Quinten Timber (Feyenoord)
Big Names Missing from Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands Squad
Several well-known players have been left out of the Oranje selection — some due to form, others due to injuries or lack of playing time. Here’s a look at the most surprising omissions from Koeman’s squad ahead of the upcoming international fixtures.
Noa Lang (Napoli)
Winger Noa Lang is among the most notable players missing from the Netherlands squad. Once a regular under Koeman, Lang has struggled for minutes since his move to Serie A side Napoli. Despite showing flashes of talent off the bench, his limited playing time has cost him a spot on the national team.
Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United)
Another surprising exclusion is Matthijs de Ligt, who has been a consistent performer for Manchester United. However, with Koeman opting for defenders like Jurriën Timber, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Stefan de Vrij, De Ligt finds himself on the outside for this international window. Jeremie Frimpong also returns to the squad, pushing De Ligt further down the pecking order.
Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
Former Ajax standout Jorrel Hato has also been left out. Since moving to the Premier League, Hato has begun earning starts at Chelsea but hasn’t yet convinced Koeman enough to warrant selection. His international progression seems to have stalled for now.
Sem Steijn (Feyenoord)
Sem Steijn, who made his senior debut in the last window, is another name missing this time. After a dip in form at Feyenoord, the attacking midfielder has been left out of the squad as Koeman looks for more consistency in the midfield.
Brian Brobbey (Sunderland)
Striker Brian Brobbey has been left out as well, despite previous support from Koeman during his lean spells at Ajax. Since his move to Sunderland, Brobbey has struggled to find his best form, which has opened the door for rising talent Mexx Meerdink, who has been called up instead.
Emanuel Emegha (Strasbourg/Chelsea)
Emanuel Emegha was expected to earn his first cap, but an untimely injury has delayed his Oranje debut. The forward, who recently secured a transfer to Chelsea, is viewed as a potential long-term replacement for Memphis Depay once he recovers.
Nick Olij (PSV Eindhoven)
Goalkeeper Nick Olij was a regular during his time at Sparta Rotterdam, but since transferring to PSV, he has lost his starting spot. With Matej Kovar preferred at club level, Olij has now been dropped from the national team as well. Robin Roefs, who is performing well at Sunderland, takes his place in goal.
Final Thoughts
Ronald Koeman’s latest Netherlands squad reflects a clear message: regular playing time and form matter. Big names can be left out if they aren’t performing consistently at club level. With the national team preparing for key fixtures, the competition for spots remains fierce.
Who else do you think deserved a call-up? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Latest Comments
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“Ronald Koeman’s latest Netherlands squad reflects a clear message: regular playing time and form matter. Big names can be left out if they aren’t performing consistently at club level. With the national team preparing for key fixtures, the competition for spots remains fierce”
Except if your name is Stefan De Vrij and you are an internal bench warmer in inter and 34 years old and very slow and made so many mistakes against Lithuania I will stay take you over DE light who’s in his peak
Koopmeiners another notable absentee. Though he hasn’t really hit top form either at Juventus.
All in all, the team picks itself. Good team. Need better coach.
Good to see at least one new face (Mexx Meerdink) in the squad. Although once again, this has only happened due to a spate of injuries. If Koeman had his favourites fit and available, this would not have happened.
De ligt case i expected, its a vendetta against him, You guys remember Virgil threw Deligt under the bus, when we lost a game ??its not only koeman bias. Virgil clearly doesn’t want De ligt as partner at center…i think De ligt is Top4 center backs at EPL..He plays in crap Manunited team,only beacasue of him they don’t concede 4 goals per game. Captain material, can score bullet headers. Has no nonsense old school tackler in emergency situations..
i understand Geetruida is not a regular at sunderland,but Givairo read is ,Frimpong or Malen needs and inverted right back to step and with press resistant capability to play fluid football..But yes that would be non existant with Dumfries back passes..
Hartmann was doing fantastic as left back at EPL,He deserved a call,Ake is in poor form and he is bench warmer..and He is just a make shift left back..Van de ven is also a CB can be used as makeshift left back..But yes that stupid will play Ake or van de ven as left back and will kill left wing…
Robin Roefs is better Goal keeper than Verbruggen..Robin is destined to be great..He will be signed by big clubs..what a monster keeper he is ..i would not be surprised if he starts over Verbruggen..
Hato is playing for chelsea,he did well in those games he played,Chelski prefer to play with cucurella and keep on loosing…
Ideally it shoould have been
Hato for AKe
De ligt for De vrij
Geetruida for Dumfries ..we dont play 3 at back and we need a press resisatnt right back ,who can carry the ball, and move forward..We scored 5 goals vs spain ..thats due to absence of dumfries ..and presence of kluivert as no 10.
Interesting comments in the Dutch media. Koeman is putting Ake on notice: “He needs to play more”. De Ligt gives Koeman headaches, the coach confirmed he has sleepless nights over the central defender position.
Apparently, De Ligt and Koeman do talk often, as De Ligt is keen to learn what he needs to do better.
Competition is fierce. Van Hecke is top, Timber is world class.
I don’t think De Vrij ever played bad for Oranje?
Olij is not playing at PSV and Roefs impresses weekly, so that is a pretty logical switch.
I”m happy to see Hartman back. He’s good a good eye and great left foot. At Burnley he takes the inswinging corners.
The decision to call up Meerdink has puzzled some former aces. Van Basten and Gullit feel the lad isn’t ready yet. “He only plays at AZ as a striker because Parrot is injured.”
Most people see him as a future striker for Oranje, but it all comes very quick for Martijn Meerdinks (1 cap) son.
For the 2026 World Cup, most people think Memphis, Weghorst and 1 other striker will be picked. I’d love to see Emegha in Oranje as well, to see who will edge it.
Zirkzee and Brobbey (and Dallinga) are also options, I suppose.
Steijn was not left out of the squad due to form dip. Steijn was introduced to Oranje so Koeman could get some experience with him and now he does this with Meerdink. Nothing wrong with it.
Expect Luciano Valente to get into the squad if he keeps on going like this at Feyenoord (and with some midfielders dropping in form or getting injured, Koopmeiners, Veerman, Schouten, Q Timber).
De vrij will never forget ole watkins at Euro 2024..Van dijk is 34,so is De Vrij..its absolutely suicidal to play with two 34 year old slow center backs..Koeman will be punished by young fast players of the opposition…Just wait and see…I am not talking for Malta or Finland..
if we play agaisnt Estevevo,Michal olise,Barcola,Dembele,Mbhappe we will be killed with that center defense..De vrij is bench warmer,so does Ake..koeman comitted a sin to pick Ake and Devrij over inform De ligt..After all i know what to expect from koeman..So no surprise for me..
Mexx Meerding had to leave the Oranje camp with a groin injury. He’s not going to play. Lots has been said about his dad Martijn Meerdink who got one cap under Van Basten. Martijn was also invited to the Oranje camp before he made his debut and he too had to leave the camp with an injury, ruining his debut chances. Luckily for him, Van Basten invited him in for a friendly, later on, so he did get his “hare”. Mexx will need to wait.
On another note, Tyrell Malacia has been allowed back into the first squad at Man United. The former Feyenoord left back was told he could leave and was relegated to Young Man United (he only has 1 year left on his contract, so he decided to not leave but cash in on his transfer free status). But as he applies himself very professionally, he got on Amorim’s radar again and with the issues the Mancunians have, Malacia is welcomed back and will get a chance to show himself.
Koeman decided not to call up a replacement for Meerdink and will use Malen – most likely – as striker.
It is unfortunate that Emegha isn’t healthy. Maybe he will play Malen at CF against Malta, but that won’t tell us anything. The Finland lineup will give a good indication as to who he thinks is his starting 11 (barring injuries to obvious starters).
Tiju mentioned above that when Kluivert started against Spain, the team scored 5 goals over 2 matches against one of the top 3 teams in the world. There is no question that they were more dynamic, faster and dangerous with him (and Frimpong) in the line up. But if you play Kluivert, which 2 do you pick among Gravenberch, Reijnders, and De Jong?
Re de Vrij. Koeman seemed to say that Van Hecke and Timber are ahead of De Vrij in the pecking order.
@Andrew …its not only kluivert game or Frimpong game VS spain…i would go with Reinders -Frenlkie duo with kluivert as play maker 10 as third midfeilder..i would play gakpo as striker with simon on left frimpong on right…Since Meerdink is out..Depay is not fit enough to start..
Vs spain game we scored 5 goals because Frimpong was supported well by Geetruida ,Geertuida who is an able right back who can hold the ball in his feet,can take on players when it demands,then frimpong is free he can pass to frimpong..This is modern football and you need press resistant players in every important games ..they are the winners…With Dumfries we will never score 5 goals vs Spain..Absense of dumfries in those games was a huge for us..that was a blessing..i prefer to score 5 gaols vs spain than playimg dumfries..Dumfries is the most overrated player we have in the squad..kluivert,fripong Frenkie all played possession based football beacause there was no dumfries in the right wing to loose the ball…
Geetruida played as RB and he played like inverted midfilder along with frenkie..thats the key in those games..Just like Calafiori and Timber doing it at arsenal..thats the key…with Timber and right back and Frimpong as winger we should be killing any top team in the world..But we would be su2@3king against Big teams if we play Dumfries,who cannot keep ball his feet and gives back pass hence interrupts our moves..
Jurien Timber has hardly played as center back in last 1.5 years,,its idiotic to use him as center back..i know koeman is idiot..We have De ligt ,Van hecke,De vrij and Sepp van den berg for RCB…Except De vrij all are starters and no1 on team sheet ath best league on the planet..We need timber,Geetruida or Giaviro read at RB in 433 system…Not dumfries…Dumfires is a new curse on us..
Well, there is a lot to like and a lot to dislike.
Given we played on a terrible surface, I think 0-4 is not that bad. We want to score more goals of course, but this should suffice.
I saw some good things ( Gakpo, Frimpong, Timber) but overall not impressed with the lack of problem solving in the team and on the bench.
Why would you need 4 defenders against Malta? Why not use Gravenberch or Frenkie as right CB and use Timber as right full back.
We could have had Kluivert in midfield close to Weghorst.
Dumfries couldn’t play his usual role and it was obvious Malta would try and block our offensive moves and be compact.
Although credit to Malta, they did press high at times and that wasn’t dealt with too well by us.
Against these opponents, on a bad pitch, you need to dribble less and pass more.
With a 3-4-3 and Weghorst as a 9, why not use the right footed Gakpo on the right and a left footed winger on the left, allowing for width, and crosses into the box. With Reijnders Kluivert/Simons joining in the box.
Just push them back and hoist balls towards their box.
But the inverted wingers tended to slow the game down and the dribbles in midfield also didn’t really work. We were suffocating ourselves.
With Gravenberch as CB, that tedious square passing would also be diminished.
It took us 1 minute of passing to get on the Malta half of the pitch, at the start of the game.
But… lets be happy with the points as it is not easy for the coach to work on game play when you only have 2 days to prepare for games like these.
Credit to Malta though, I thought they were courageous and good value.
Sad news from Holland: Mexx Meerdink will be out for months with this groin injury. Not good for him.
Nothing much to say. It’s just a pity that the Dutch are stuck in koemans web who pretends to showcase that the team is evolving or has evolved under. His press conferences are so horrendous when asked critical questions and the face he makes giving vague and hopeless answers. Once again it’s a pity what the Dutch team is going through. And especially with the World Cup around the corner.
This is such a talented squad but yet koeman has not able to integrate these players and would the team using different combo. He keeps going same starting 11 and when somebody gets injured from there or is not available, the complexion of the team changes.
The Dutch coaches think they can defy odds and prove modern day football wrong and end up wiping their shit.
Sorry folks, it’s gonna be another lethargic, lackluster, dragging, dodging the bullet each and there outings at World Cup again until Koeman sneaks out of the side door with his fcuked face.
The only bitterness that will be there is the talent that this team had and which went to waste.
To play lateral and back passing vs a team like Malta just shows the credibility of the team and the coach. The only player who was penetrating from the middle was Timber and I have to say he has proved me wrong but I still think he will be exposed at CB.
It’s the same old one sided approach with one flank more offensive and the other flank lesser. Vs average team it’s looks flawless and vs big teams going back and forward.
Frimpong again leading the attack single handingly.
Jurien Timber is a world class player.insane right full back ,who comes in and plays like inverted midfeiilder to support right winger at arsenal..He plays hardly as center back..He is a seasoned world class right back..Yes since he is too much talented he will even execl as striker…But he is best as right full back..thats weher he belongs to..Its koeman stupidity to play and waste him ay RCB..imagine how much he would have supported Frimpong had he played as full back…Koeman is the
Problem..Timber is excellent in air too,but yeah ,he lacks the height to be a CB..At games there will be players jumping over him..perhaps thats the only weakness he has..A monster player,Excellent attacker,Execllent defender,Excellnt foot ball player ..thats what Timber is……Our main problem no 1 koeman and his stupid brain..
past year he hardly played as center back at arsenal..i follow him regularly,He and gravenberch are the players i followed a lot..i knew both are world class players..
We are doomed with koeman..Micky van de ven is a no nonsense Left center back at spurs ,perhaps he is 1 of the best LCB in the EPL..So why you play such a incredible player as your left fullback??koeman is committing horrendous mistake there..i can understand if Hato,Hartmanan and Maatsen gets injured either AKe or van de ven can be make shift Left backs…But hell yeah..thats it..I think Malacia will comeback so strong if AMorim gets a life at united..Manunited left backs are real crap..Shaw cannot run,Dalot and Dorgu looks like headless chioken idiots with zero football IQ…Malacia should utilise the chances given to him..ball is in Malacia court..
Everytime i see dumfries on wings i get pissed off,he makes thinsg so difficult for Frimpong and Gravenberch at right..our moves gets stooped with dumfries,all he is doing that one touch pass mostly its back pass..or else he will loose it..Geetruida and timber should be our first choice right full backs…
Guys, it’s all about qualifying for the main tournament!
The season’s still long for those guys, many of them play in top leagues like PL — this is just how it goes and they already have to think and get ready for the WC.
Gakpo was doing good, or maybe it is because I like the guy a lot.
Let’s be real: this Dutch team isn’t world-class, and that’s fine. Reaching the quarter-finals would already be a solid result. If you want to go further, you need a top striker, and right now the Netherlands just doesn’t have one. The rest of the squad is pretty good, but yeah, you need someone who scores.
You dont need a top striker to win world cup.if you play unselfish and team game..but you need a replacement for Dumfries at right full back to win anything..
With what Dumfries is delivering its very hard for Koeman to not start with him, but the combo Frimpong and Dumfries doesn´t work. When Frimpong was changed for Malen things got better for Dumfries and he could get more in his zone.
And yes Frimpong is our best option as he knows also how to defend, so he is a better choice over Malen.
It´s complicated !
Maybe against big teams combo Frimpong-Timber/Geertruida. No idea how Geertruida is doing nowadays….
“””Let’s be real: this Dutch team isn’t world-class, and that’s fine. Reaching the quarter-finals would already be a solid result”””.
its not johan,we have the players to beat the world,Only few players are not good enough Eg.Dumfries..Koeman is not a world class coach .We should be get kicked out of WC at ten earliest..koeman is a serial looser…When did he last beat a top team?? When?..
Mar 23, 2025 2024-25 UEFA Nations League Spain 3-3 (Lost)
Mar 20, 2025 2024-25 UEFA Nations League Spain 2-2 (Draw) Quarter-finals 1st leg.
Lost 0-4 to France.—-2023-euro qualifiers
Lost 1-2 to France.—2023-euro qualifiers
Lost to Croatia (2-4)in the semifinals -Nations league
Lost to Italy (2-3) in the third-place-Nations league
Lost 2-3 to Austria.-Euro 2024
Drew 0-0 with France.-euro 2024
Lost to England 1-2 in the Semifinals.
Lost 0-1 to Germany.–Nations league 24-25
Drew 2-2 to Germany -Nations league 24-25
Move Gakpo as striker like Vanpersie,Gakpo is not a bad central striker,Depay still an able substitue player i believe, Then you have meerdink,emegha and weghorst…take any one…Weghorst is fighter and his experience will come in to hand in dying minutes….
Add summerville to the mix ,he is having excellent season..Dont play Reinders,Frenkie,Gravenberch together,dont ever play dumfries if geetruida,frimpong,Timber is fir at right side…Bring in kees smit, who has lots of energy and trick..we need young legs to run the hell out opponent..
Interesting comments. I do agree with the Koeman criticism. I am not a fan. His press conferences are terrible, he comes across as lazy (didn’t know goal difference was important!!!) and is not a tactical wizard.
But then again, Erwin and Wim Jonk are very decent coaches so you’d expect something from them!
I also agree with Johan: this is all about qualifying. You cannot gel a team together in 2,5 days and get incredible football PSG style against Lithuania or Malta.
Interestingly, Koeman expected Malta to park the bus, but they pressed high and the team was a bit confused initially.
Due to the likes of Pep, Slot, Enrique and Van Gaal, players think less and operate more like robots.
Imagine the Willem 2 coach telling Frenkie 10 years ago to stop dribbling….
In the golden 70s, Cruyff, Van Hanegem and Jansen determined how we played. Not Michels or Zwartkruis or Fhardronc.
I think we should have played without Dumfries versus Malta, who simply doesn’t get the space to run into (his strength).
He should have used Timber on his own spot, with Frimpong on the right. Gravenberch as CB next to Virgil.
He could have used Kluivert as 10, next to Reijnders (8) and Frenkie (6).
Or Xavi.
Wilson, what would your changes be, if you were the NT coach?
Yes Jan, if you decide to play with Frimpong, bench Dumfries, this game confirmed that. It´s good its confirmed again, better now then during the main tournament!
Let´s see if they (the technical team including Wim Jonk) make the right decision to play against Finland, interesting to see if this was all along their strategy.
Btw, it seems that Dumfries already gave 7 assists to Memphis, another detail that makes it so hard to pass the guy that brings so much energy in the game.
“Wilson, what would your changes be, if you were the NT coach?
I think you have mentioned some of it and I would go with the Spain lineup. With few changes.
Lang- Depay- Frimpong
Reijnders- kluivert- Frenkie
Maatsen- Vandijk- Van heckie- Timber
Verbruggen
Maatsen given that license to play high like how dumfries gets it and you have to agree that with Frimpong and dumfries combo it doesn’t work. Frimpong penetrating on the flank means dumfries can’t overlap and if dumfries overlaps then Frimpong goes invisible drifting in as he completely shut down / neutralized in heavy traffic by big defenders.
Then you look at how when Malen is on the right , how dumfries becomes more attacking orientated because Malen always drifts in and hardly penetrates outside on the flank. I mean it so easy to pick this out.
I will have lang and Frimpong on the wings two cutting edge wingers. I have no issue with Depay when he is around more explosive players. In the box he is always a menace holding the ball, shielding and with his thunder bolt shots.
Reijnders with Gravenberch his back up. I know Frenkie would not be happy playing on the right but again he needs to except that what’s important is balance. At Barcelona it’s the same case. He is switched around. Remember when Koeman arrived at Barcelona he wanted to build midfield around Frenkie and it back fired . In the end he had switch Frenkie to the right with busquets in point back mid.
Also I don’t agree to the claim that it’s about qualification and coaches don’t get enough time with players when they get together in shorter time frame. You look at other teams and I have said this on other platforms. Other teams are more focused on their growth and building different combos around different players. It’s merely an excuses by koeman that qualifying is more important because he is trying to hide his incompetency in not able to yield the growth or the team has evolved under him. It’s a fact.
You also have to except the fact this Dutch team is deficient and not champions material. Vs average teams they look like top contenders because the usually players like gakpo, Depay, dumfries, Frenkie are at their top of their game because of mis match ( competency). This completely changes when they face off with more component or team who are at he same level as them. How many tournaments now this has been proven.
The only positive thing I see in the team is that of the impact of Frimpong. If he gets injured. It’s gonna be the same tatical shit with either of Malen or Simons on the right with dumfries overlapping. Vs average teams it’s gonna yield flawless victory but come the crunch stage it gonna be the same outcome as what we saw under Van gaal. Can’t cope up, and resort to those ugly tatic trying to win by fluke
My point here is look at the last two tournaments and learn the lessons from it. Unfortunately it hasn’t being the case.
Some critics have also said that dumfries with the goals and assist is undisputed or unstoppable but they never live up to expectation when in those crucial stages and when it’s needed the most . The same with gakpo. Gakpo dropping back to defend and dumfries overlapping. This tatic has already flopped in two tournaments but is still a feature.
I also forgot to mention. Koeman has been at the helm for how many years now. He shouldn’t be complaining that he doesn’t get enough time when called up for internationals when he been calling up and starting with 98% of the same players. Crazy fact right
That is a good point, but sadly when Koeman left for Barca, Frank de Boer and Louis van Gaal completely threw Koeman’s ideas overboard and went with 5 at the back. Which has never really worked (also not in 2014) and disrupted a lot of flow. Spain has played the same for 25+ years. Germany, same. Portugal same. England same. These disruptions (like the 2014 tournament) have always resulted in mayhem after the tournament.
The only thing you can lament is that apparently our players are less and less self sufficient.
Players like Cruyff, Van Hanegem but probably also Wouters, Gullit, Sneijder and Van Bommel would have had something to say about this.
The current generation (Virgil, Frenkie, Ake) apparently are less involved and seem to accept everything Koeman wants to do.
“Ronald Koeman’s latest Netherlands squad reflects a clear message: regular playing time and form matter. Big names can be left out if they aren’t performing consistently at club level. With the national team preparing for key fixtures, the competition for spots remains fierce”
Except if your name is Stefan De Vrij and you are an internal bench warmer in inter and 34 years old and very slow and made so many mistakes against Lithuania I will stay take you over DE light who’s in his peak
Interesting because de Ligt played much more under Koeman then Stefan De Vrij. Would be good to look for replacement though.
Koopmeiners another notable absentee. Though he hasn’t really hit top form either at Juventus.
All in all, the team picks itself. Good team. Need better coach.
Good to see at least one new face (Mexx Meerdink) in the squad. Although once again, this has only happened due to a spate of injuries. If Koeman had his favourites fit and available, this would not have happened.
De ligt case i expected, its a vendetta against him, You guys remember Virgil threw Deligt under the bus, when we lost a game ??its not only koeman bias. Virgil clearly doesn’t want De ligt as partner at center…i think De ligt is Top4 center backs at EPL..He plays in crap Manunited team,only beacasue of him they don’t concede 4 goals per game. Captain material, can score bullet headers. Has no nonsense old school tackler in emergency situations..
i understand Geetruida is not a regular at sunderland,but Givairo read is ,Frimpong or Malen needs and inverted right back to step and with press resistant capability to play fluid football..But yes that would be non existant with Dumfries back passes..
Hartmann was doing fantastic as left back at EPL,He deserved a call,Ake is in poor form and he is bench warmer..and He is just a make shift left back..Van de ven is also a CB can be used as makeshift left back..But yes that stupid will play Ake or van de ven as left back and will kill left wing…
Robin Roefs is better Goal keeper than Verbruggen..Robin is destined to be great..He will be signed by big clubs..what a monster keeper he is ..i would not be surprised if he starts over Verbruggen..
Hato is playing for chelsea,he did well in those games he played,Chelski prefer to play with cucurella and keep on loosing…
Ideally it shoould have been
Hato for AKe
De ligt for De vrij
Geetruida for Dumfries ..we dont play 3 at back and we need a press resisatnt right back ,who can carry the ball, and move forward..We scored 5 goals vs spain ..thats due to absence of dumfries ..and presence of kluivert as no 10.
Interesting comments in the Dutch media. Koeman is putting Ake on notice: “He needs to play more”. De Ligt gives Koeman headaches, the coach confirmed he has sleepless nights over the central defender position.
Apparently, De Ligt and Koeman do talk often, as De Ligt is keen to learn what he needs to do better.
Competition is fierce. Van Hecke is top, Timber is world class.
I don’t think De Vrij ever played bad for Oranje?
Olij is not playing at PSV and Roefs impresses weekly, so that is a pretty logical switch.
I”m happy to see Hartman back. He’s good a good eye and great left foot. At Burnley he takes the inswinging corners.
The decision to call up Meerdink has puzzled some former aces. Van Basten and Gullit feel the lad isn’t ready yet. “He only plays at AZ as a striker because Parrot is injured.”
Most people see him as a future striker for Oranje, but it all comes very quick for Martijn Meerdinks (1 cap) son.
For the 2026 World Cup, most people think Memphis, Weghorst and 1 other striker will be picked. I’d love to see Emegha in Oranje as well, to see who will edge it.
Zirkzee and Brobbey (and Dallinga) are also options, I suppose.
Steijn was not left out of the squad due to form dip. Steijn was introduced to Oranje so Koeman could get some experience with him and now he does this with Meerdink. Nothing wrong with it.
Expect Luciano Valente to get into the squad if he keeps on going like this at Feyenoord (and with some midfielders dropping in form or getting injured, Koopmeiners, Veerman, Schouten, Q Timber).
De vrij will never forget ole watkins at Euro 2024..Van dijk is 34,so is De Vrij..its absolutely suicidal to play with two 34 year old slow center backs..Koeman will be punished by young fast players of the opposition…Just wait and see…I am not talking for Malta or Finland..
if we play agaisnt Estevevo,Michal olise,Barcola,Dembele,Mbhappe we will be killed with that center defense..De vrij is bench warmer,so does Ake..koeman comitted a sin to pick Ake and Devrij over inform De ligt..After all i know what to expect from koeman..So no surprise for me..
Mexx Meerding had to leave the Oranje camp with a groin injury. He’s not going to play. Lots has been said about his dad Martijn Meerdink who got one cap under Van Basten. Martijn was also invited to the Oranje camp before he made his debut and he too had to leave the camp with an injury, ruining his debut chances. Luckily for him, Van Basten invited him in for a friendly, later on, so he did get his “hare”. Mexx will need to wait.
On another note, Tyrell Malacia has been allowed back into the first squad at Man United. The former Feyenoord left back was told he could leave and was relegated to Young Man United (he only has 1 year left on his contract, so he decided to not leave but cash in on his transfer free status). But as he applies himself very professionally, he got on Amorim’s radar again and with the issues the Mancunians have, Malacia is welcomed back and will get a chance to show himself.
Koeman decided not to call up a replacement for Meerdink and will use Malen – most likely – as striker.
It is unfortunate that Emegha isn’t healthy. Maybe he will play Malen at CF against Malta, but that won’t tell us anything. The Finland lineup will give a good indication as to who he thinks is his starting 11 (barring injuries to obvious starters).
Tiju mentioned above that when Kluivert started against Spain, the team scored 5 goals over 2 matches against one of the top 3 teams in the world. There is no question that they were more dynamic, faster and dangerous with him (and Frimpong) in the line up. But if you play Kluivert, which 2 do you pick among Gravenberch, Reijnders, and De Jong?
Re de Vrij. Koeman seemed to say that Van Hecke and Timber are ahead of De Vrij in the pecking order.
@Andrew …its not only kluivert game or Frimpong game VS spain…i would go with Reinders -Frenlkie duo with kluivert as play maker 10 as third midfeilder..i would play gakpo as striker with simon on left frimpong on right…Since Meerdink is out..Depay is not fit enough to start..
Vs spain game we scored 5 goals because Frimpong was supported well by Geetruida ,Geertuida who is an able right back who can hold the ball in his feet,can take on players when it demands,then frimpong is free he can pass to frimpong..This is modern football and you need press resistant players in every important games ..they are the winners…With Dumfries we will never score 5 goals vs Spain..Absense of dumfries in those games was a huge for us..that was a blessing..i prefer to score 5 gaols vs spain than playimg dumfries..Dumfries is the most overrated player we have in the squad..kluivert,fripong Frenkie all played possession based football beacause there was no dumfries in the right wing to loose the ball…
Geetruida played as RB and he played like inverted midfilder along with frenkie..thats the key in those games..Just like Calafiori and Timber doing it at arsenal..thats the key…with Timber and right back and Frimpong as winger we should be killing any top team in the world..But we would be su2@3king against Big teams if we play Dumfries,who cannot keep ball his feet and gives back pass hence interrupts our moves..
Jurien Timber has hardly played as center back in last 1.5 years,,its idiotic to use him as center back..i know koeman is idiot..We have De ligt ,Van hecke,De vrij and Sepp van den berg for RCB…Except De vrij all are starters and no1 on team sheet ath best league on the planet..We need timber,Geetruida or Giaviro read at RB in 433 system…Not dumfries…Dumfires is a new curse on us..
Lineup v. Malta: Verbruggen; Van de Ven, Van Dijk, Timber, Dumfries; Dejong, Reijnders, Gravenberch; Gakpo, Weghorst, Frimpong.
Well, there is a lot to like and a lot to dislike.
Given we played on a terrible surface, I think 0-4 is not that bad. We want to score more goals of course, but this should suffice.
I saw some good things ( Gakpo, Frimpong, Timber) but overall not impressed with the lack of problem solving in the team and on the bench.
Why would you need 4 defenders against Malta? Why not use Gravenberch or Frenkie as right CB and use Timber as right full back.
We could have had Kluivert in midfield close to Weghorst.
Dumfries couldn’t play his usual role and it was obvious Malta would try and block our offensive moves and be compact.
Although credit to Malta, they did press high at times and that wasn’t dealt with too well by us.
Against these opponents, on a bad pitch, you need to dribble less and pass more.
With a 3-4-3 and Weghorst as a 9, why not use the right footed Gakpo on the right and a left footed winger on the left, allowing for width, and crosses into the box. With Reijnders Kluivert/Simons joining in the box.
Just push them back and hoist balls towards their box.
But the inverted wingers tended to slow the game down and the dribbles in midfield also didn’t really work. We were suffocating ourselves.
With Gravenberch as CB, that tedious square passing would also be diminished.
It took us 1 minute of passing to get on the Malta half of the pitch, at the start of the game.
But… lets be happy with the points as it is not easy for the coach to work on game play when you only have 2 days to prepare for games like these.
Credit to Malta though, I thought they were courageous and good value.
Sad news from Holland: Mexx Meerdink will be out for months with this groin injury. Not good for him.
Nothing much to say. It’s just a pity that the Dutch are stuck in koemans web who pretends to showcase that the team is evolving or has evolved under. His press conferences are so horrendous when asked critical questions and the face he makes giving vague and hopeless answers. Once again it’s a pity what the Dutch team is going through. And especially with the World Cup around the corner.
This is such a talented squad but yet koeman has not able to integrate these players and would the team using different combo. He keeps going same starting 11 and when somebody gets injured from there or is not available, the complexion of the team changes.
The Dutch coaches think they can defy odds and prove modern day football wrong and end up wiping their shit.
Sorry folks, it’s gonna be another lethargic, lackluster, dragging, dodging the bullet each and there outings at World Cup again until Koeman sneaks out of the side door with his fcuked face.
The only bitterness that will be there is the talent that this team had and which went to waste.
To play lateral and back passing vs a team like Malta just shows the credibility of the team and the coach. The only player who was penetrating from the middle was Timber and I have to say he has proved me wrong but I still think he will be exposed at CB.
It’s the same old one sided approach with one flank more offensive and the other flank lesser. Vs average team it’s looks flawless and vs big teams going back and forward.
Frimpong again leading the attack single handingly.
Jurien Timber is a world class player.insane right full back ,who comes in and plays like inverted midfeiilder to support right winger at arsenal..He plays hardly as center back..He is a seasoned world class right back..Yes since he is too much talented he will even execl as striker…But he is best as right full back..thats weher he belongs to..Its koeman stupidity to play and waste him ay RCB..imagine how much he would have supported Frimpong had he played as full back…Koeman is the
Problem..Timber is excellent in air too,but yeah ,he lacks the height to be a CB..At games there will be players jumping over him..perhaps thats the only weakness he has..A monster player,Excellent attacker,Execllent defender,Excellnt foot ball player ..thats what Timber is……Our main problem no 1 koeman and his stupid brain..
past year he hardly played as center back at arsenal..i follow him regularly,He and gravenberch are the players i followed a lot..i knew both are world class players..
This is basically the team that will start at World Cup
We are doomed with koeman..Micky van de ven is a no nonsense Left center back at spurs ,perhaps he is 1 of the best LCB in the EPL..So why you play such a incredible player as your left fullback??koeman is committing horrendous mistake there..i can understand if Hato,Hartmanan and Maatsen gets injured either AKe or van de ven can be make shift Left backs…But hell yeah..thats it..I think Malacia will comeback so strong if AMorim gets a life at united..Manunited left backs are real crap..Shaw cannot run,Dalot and Dorgu looks like headless chioken idiots with zero football IQ…Malacia should utilise the chances given to him..ball is in Malacia court..
Everytime i see dumfries on wings i get pissed off,he makes thinsg so difficult for Frimpong and Gravenberch at right..our moves gets stooped with dumfries,all he is doing that one touch pass mostly its back pass..or else he will loose it..Geetruida and timber should be our first choice right full backs…
Guys, it’s all about qualifying for the main tournament!
The season’s still long for those guys, many of them play in top leagues like PL — this is just how it goes and they already have to think and get ready for the WC.
Gakpo was doing good, or maybe it is because I like the guy a lot.
Let’s be real: this Dutch team isn’t world-class, and that’s fine. Reaching the quarter-finals would already be a solid result. If you want to go further, you need a top striker, and right now the Netherlands just doesn’t have one. The rest of the squad is pretty good, but yeah, you need someone who scores.
No injuries either, so all good, right!
You dont need a top striker to win world cup.if you play unselfish and team game..but you need a replacement for Dumfries at right full back to win anything..
With what Dumfries is delivering its very hard for Koeman to not start with him, but the combo Frimpong and Dumfries doesn´t work. When Frimpong was changed for Malen things got better for Dumfries and he could get more in his zone.
And yes Frimpong is our best option as he knows also how to defend, so he is a better choice over Malen.
It´s complicated !
Maybe against big teams combo Frimpong-Timber/Geertruida. No idea how Geertruida is doing nowadays….
“””Let’s be real: this Dutch team isn’t world-class, and that’s fine. Reaching the quarter-finals would already be a solid result”””.
its not johan,we have the players to beat the world,Only few players are not good enough Eg.Dumfries..Koeman is not a world class coach .We should be get kicked out of WC at ten earliest..koeman is a serial looser…When did he last beat a top team?? When?..
Mar 23, 2025 2024-25 UEFA Nations League Spain 3-3 (Lost)
Mar 20, 2025 2024-25 UEFA Nations League Spain 2-2 (Draw) Quarter-finals 1st leg.
Lost 0-4 to France.—-2023-euro qualifiers
Lost 1-2 to France.—2023-euro qualifiers
Lost to Croatia (2-4)in the semifinals -Nations league
Lost to Italy (2-3) in the third-place-Nations league
Lost 2-3 to Austria.-Euro 2024
Drew 0-0 with France.-euro 2024
Lost to England 1-2 in the Semifinals.
Lost 0-1 to Germany.–Nations league 24-25
Drew 2-2 to Germany -Nations league 24-25
Koeman sucks,He is a serial looser
Move Gakpo as striker like Vanpersie,Gakpo is not a bad central striker,Depay still an able substitue player i believe, Then you have meerdink,emegha and weghorst…take any one…Weghorst is fighter and his experience will come in to hand in dying minutes….
Add summerville to the mix ,he is having excellent season..Dont play Reinders,Frenkie,Gravenberch together,dont ever play dumfries if geetruida,frimpong,Timber is fir at right side…Bring in kees smit, who has lots of energy and trick..we need young legs to run the hell out opponent..
Simons—————-Gakpo——————–Frimpong
Symmervill———–Depay——————–Malen
————————–Kluivert————————————
————————-keessmit———————————–
———Frenkie——————Gravenberch—————–
———Reinders—————-Weiffer————————-
Hato———-Vrigil————Deligt———-Timber
Hartmann–Micky———HEcke———–Geetruida
————————Robin—————————————–
————————Verbruggen———————————-
————————Flekken——————————————-
addional 3 players for 26 man squad
Qunten timber
Wout weghorst/Meerdink
Nathan AKe–
Interesting comments. I do agree with the Koeman criticism. I am not a fan. His press conferences are terrible, he comes across as lazy (didn’t know goal difference was important!!!) and is not a tactical wizard.
But then again, Erwin and Wim Jonk are very decent coaches so you’d expect something from them!
I also agree with Johan: this is all about qualifying. You cannot gel a team together in 2,5 days and get incredible football PSG style against Lithuania or Malta.
Interestingly, Koeman expected Malta to park the bus, but they pressed high and the team was a bit confused initially.
Due to the likes of Pep, Slot, Enrique and Van Gaal, players think less and operate more like robots.
Imagine the Willem 2 coach telling Frenkie 10 years ago to stop dribbling….
In the golden 70s, Cruyff, Van Hanegem and Jansen determined how we played. Not Michels or Zwartkruis or Fhardronc.
I think we should have played without Dumfries versus Malta, who simply doesn’t get the space to run into (his strength).
He should have used Timber on his own spot, with Frimpong on the right. Gravenberch as CB next to Virgil.
He could have used Kluivert as 10, next to Reijnders (8) and Frenkie (6).
Or Xavi.
Wilson, what would your changes be, if you were the NT coach?
Yes Jan, if you decide to play with Frimpong, bench Dumfries, this game confirmed that. It´s good its confirmed again, better now then during the main tournament!
Let´s see if they (the technical team including Wim Jonk) make the right decision to play against Finland, interesting to see if this was all along their strategy.
Btw, it seems that Dumfries already gave 7 assists to Memphis, another detail that makes it so hard to pass the guy that brings so much energy in the game.
@ Jan
“Wilson, what would your changes be, if you were the NT coach?
I think you have mentioned some of it and I would go with the Spain lineup. With few changes.
Lang- Depay- Frimpong
Reijnders- kluivert- Frenkie
Maatsen- Vandijk- Van heckie- Timber
Verbruggen
Maatsen given that license to play high like how dumfries gets it and you have to agree that with Frimpong and dumfries combo it doesn’t work. Frimpong penetrating on the flank means dumfries can’t overlap and if dumfries overlaps then Frimpong goes invisible drifting in as he completely shut down / neutralized in heavy traffic by big defenders.
Then you look at how when Malen is on the right , how dumfries becomes more attacking orientated because Malen always drifts in and hardly penetrates outside on the flank. I mean it so easy to pick this out.
I will have lang and Frimpong on the wings two cutting edge wingers. I have no issue with Depay when he is around more explosive players. In the box he is always a menace holding the ball, shielding and with his thunder bolt shots.
Reijnders with Gravenberch his back up. I know Frenkie would not be happy playing on the right but again he needs to except that what’s important is balance. At Barcelona it’s the same case. He is switched around. Remember when Koeman arrived at Barcelona he wanted to build midfield around Frenkie and it back fired . In the end he had switch Frenkie to the right with busquets in point back mid.
Also I don’t agree to the claim that it’s about qualification and coaches don’t get enough time with players when they get together in shorter time frame. You look at other teams and I have said this on other platforms. Other teams are more focused on their growth and building different combos around different players. It’s merely an excuses by koeman that qualifying is more important because he is trying to hide his incompetency in not able to yield the growth or the team has evolved under him. It’s a fact.
You also have to except the fact this Dutch team is deficient and not champions material. Vs average teams they look like top contenders because the usually players like gakpo, Depay, dumfries, Frenkie are at their top of their game because of mis match ( competency). This completely changes when they face off with more component or team who are at he same level as them. How many tournaments now this has been proven.
The only positive thing I see in the team is that of the impact of Frimpong. If he gets injured. It’s gonna be the same tatical shit with either of Malen or Simons on the right with dumfries overlapping. Vs average teams it’s gonna yield flawless victory but come the crunch stage it gonna be the same outcome as what we saw under Van gaal. Can’t cope up, and resort to those ugly tatic trying to win by fluke
My point here is look at the last two tournaments and learn the lessons from it. Unfortunately it hasn’t being the case.
Some critics have also said that dumfries with the goals and assist is undisputed or unstoppable but they never live up to expectation when in those crucial stages and when it’s needed the most . The same with gakpo. Gakpo dropping back to defend and dumfries overlapping. This tatic has already flopped in two tournaments but is still a feature.
HOW DO YOU EXPECT THE TEAM TO EVOLVE
I also forgot to mention. Koeman has been at the helm for how many years now. He shouldn’t be complaining that he doesn’t get enough time when called up for internationals when he been calling up and starting with 98% of the same players. Crazy fact right
That is a good point, but sadly when Koeman left for Barca, Frank de Boer and Louis van Gaal completely threw Koeman’s ideas overboard and went with 5 at the back. Which has never really worked (also not in 2014) and disrupted a lot of flow. Spain has played the same for 25+ years. Germany, same. Portugal same. England same. These disruptions (like the 2014 tournament) have always resulted in mayhem after the tournament.
The only thing you can lament is that apparently our players are less and less self sufficient.
Players like Cruyff, Van Hanegem but probably also Wouters, Gullit, Sneijder and Van Bommel would have had something to say about this.
The current generation (Virgil, Frenkie, Ake) apparently are less involved and seem to accept everything Koeman wants to do.