Van Dijk To Miss Netherlands Tuesday Qualifier Game

Liverpool defender, Virgil Van Dijk has withdrawn from the Netherlands squad that will be taking on Estonia the Johan Cruyff Arena in Tuesday’s Euro 2020 final qualifier.

The Dutch captain would be playing no part in his national side’s game for personal reasons.

The former Southampton man played all 90 minutes against Northern Ireland as the Oranje booked a spot in next year’s summer tournament, their first major Euro finals since 2020. This qualification was secured following a goalless draw in Belfast with Northern Ireland.

It’s been announced that the 28-year-old won’t feature for Netherlands in their last round of Euro qualifier fixtures.

“National team coach Ronald Koeman cannot call on VirgiI van Dijk on Tuesday against Estonia,” a Netherlands statement read.

“The captain of the Dutch national team has to miss the game due to personal circumstances and has since left the Oranje training camp.”

The Dutch team were many miles adrift of their best against Northern Ireland and would count themselves lucky not to have fallen behind before the interval, as Northern Ireland captain, Steve Davis blasted his penalty over the crossbar.

Netherlands regained their form after the interval, dominating possession and play in all departments. However, they failed to make any clear-cut chances.

“I am happy and proud of the team,” he told Dutch broadcadter NOS. “In the end they only had two moments. I think we should have done more offensively, but we have reached the point that was needed for qualification and that is the most important thing.

“In the last few minutes I really opted for the 0-0, so I also brought on an extra defender with (Nathan) Ake.

“As a team, we always want more and to be better, but we have achieved a great result by qualifying for the European Championship. And that in a group with a great opponent like Germany and a tough opponent like Northern Ireland. I also just want to say that it is fantastic”

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