SportsVan Gaal Makes Simons Surprise Inclusion In Dutch World Cup Squad

Van Gaal Makes Simons Surprise Inclusion In Dutch World Cup Squad

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November 11, (THEWILL) – PSV Eindhoven’s Xavi Simons made it into the 26-man squad that Louis van Gaal has selected for the Netherlands for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Uncapped Simons is likely the most interesting choice and is a reward for a strong stretch of play this year at the club level. As one of the nation’s brightest emerging stars, Simons has made 21 appearances across all competitions, with four assists and 10 goals.

Along with Wout Weghorst, who is presently on loan from Burnley to Besiktas, Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay of Barcelona have also been added to the world cup team. Also travelling to Qatar with the team are Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, and Manchester United’s Tyrell Malacia. Newcastle’s Sven Botman was left out.

Glo

Other well-known exclusions include Brian Brobbey of Ajax and Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich. Jasper Cillessen, a seasoned goalie who was Van Gaal’s first pick to stop shots at the 2014 World Cup, was also not named.

The Netherlands face Senegal to open their World Cup campaign on November 21, then they clash with Ecuador four days later, and host nation Qatar to close up the group stage on November 29.

The full team list includes:

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (sc Heerenveen)

Defenders: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurriën Timber (Ajax), Denzel Dumfries (Internazionale), Stefan de Vrij (Internazionale), Mathijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)

Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons (PSV)

Forwards: Memphis Depay (FC Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Royal Antwerp FC), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Beşiktaş)

About the Author

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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

Jude Obafemi, THEWILLhttps://thewillnews.com
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.

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