Georginio Wijnaldum is delighted to be appointed captain of the Netherlands for the European Championships, however says Virgil van Dijk’s absence shall be felt by the Dutch subsequent month.
Wijnaldum took over the captain’s armband from his Liverpool teammate, whose extended knee harm has meant he missed the event, which begins subsequent week.
“Of course the captain’s armband is a big boost for me. It gives me a sense of pride. I have come of age when I am more connected with the rest of the team, but at the same time I feel that I can still be myself in this role,” he informed reporters on Monday in Lagos, Portugal, the place the Dutch The crew continued its efficiency. Preparation of the event to be held from 11 June to 11 July.
But he stated it was an enormous blow that Van Dijk wouldn’t be on the Euros. “He is our real captain in everything. He is big and strong and really looks like a captain, ”stated Wijnaldum.
Wijnaldum is one in all 9 gamers within the 26-man squad that had beforehand competed in a serious event with the Netherlands, the crew’s final look being the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the place it completed third.
“It is unbelievable that we now have not performed within the World Cup or European Championship with the Netherlands for seven years. The Netherlands at all times appeared to qualify robotically. Missing a event, it may possibly occur. But two?
“It damage me quite a bit. Sometimes I used to observe these tournaments with jagged tooth, I may hardly bear it. I used to be on trip, however it felt mistaken, as a result of I should not have been on trip throughout these tournaments. ,” Wijnaldum stated.
The Dutch need to make up for misplaced time in Group C by taking up Austria, North Macedonia and Ukraine, whom they meet for the primary time on 13 June in Amsterdam.
“We are a crew of pals once more. We kind a united entrance. Of course, that doesn’t solely assure that we are going to win a match, however it is vitally necessary. After the World Cup in 2014, the crew has a short environment. Was somewhat dangerous,” he signed off.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
