Ronald Koeman insisted a call was but to be made about Bart Verbruggen’s health forward of their opening sport of the World Cup in opposition to Japan on Sunday.
Verbruggen was pressured off within the 67th minute of the Netherlands’ 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan earlier this week following a coming along with Abdukodir Khusanov from a nook.
The Brighton goalkeeper, who is taken into account because the Dutch primary for the event, was changed by Bayer Leverkusen’s Mark Flekken at Icahn Stadium.
Verbruggen stored three clear sheets within the Netherlands’ World Cup qualifying marketing campaign, however Koeman revealed he was absent from the workforce’s coaching session on Wednesday.
“He didn’t participate in coaching. We now have to attend and see and hope that he might be concerned on Sunday,” Koeman informed a press convention on the workforce base.
“It is solely a bruise, so we do not know but how issues can be on Sunday. We’re hopeful, however we’ll should see how far alongside he really is.”
Flekken has made 12 appearances for his nation since his debut in 2022, whereas third-choice goalkeeper Robin Roefs has only one senior cap to his title.
“Who would possibly play in aim? We nonetheless should determine that. We are going to present readability on that in our discussions with the goalkeepers,” Koeman added.
https://t.co/NSEfjVNcqv pic.twitter.com/C5lRnew8I7
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) June 10, 2026
This would be the Netherlands’ twelfth World Cup look, with no different workforce ending as runners-up extra usually than the Dutch with out profitable the trophy (three).
The Netherlands are unbeaten of their final 16 group matches on the World Cup (W12 D4), which is their longest present unbeaten run, whereas they haven’t misplaced their final 9 opening matches at FIFA’s flagship competitors.
However together with the goalkeeping state of affairs, Koeman can be pondering who will lead the Oranje line of their opening sport.
Memphis Depay was each the highest scorer (eight targets) and joint-top help supplier (4 assists) for the Netherlands within the World Cup qualifiers, however he has been battling a thigh harm within the lead-up to the event.
“It is Wednesday, and we play on Sunday, however I feel if I nonetheless have doubts then I have never carried out my homework correctly,” Koeman stated.
“We all know that Memphis has had some accidents and hasn’t performed in current weeks, however now he is again. Each day he’s getting nearer to his high degree.
“He is our all-time main aim scorer and we want him, similar to we want all the opposite gamers.”
