Ronald Koeman rues Virgil van Dijk red card ahead of Germany showdown

BUDAPEST – Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman will not call up a replacement for suspended captain Virgil van Dijk ahead of a vital trip to Germany on Oct 14, but was left perplexed by the defender’s sending-off in the 1-1 Nations League draw with Hungary.

Van Dijk received two yellow cards in three minutes late in the second half in Budapest on Oct 11, the first for dissent and the second a foul which was a straightforward booking.

That first card has left Koeman puzzled as van Dijk protested after Donyell Malen was brought down while surging towards goal with the Dutch trailing their hosts 1-0.

“That moment was frustrating,” the coach told broadcaster NOS.

“I don’t understand it. I think we agreed that a captain can protest to a referee. That foul (on Malen) was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball.

“That Virgil then takes that second card is not convenient. He knows that himself.”

Van Dijk echoed Koeman’s words, saying: “As captain I am allowed to talk to the referee and I did it in a respectful way.

“But, with the second one, I gave the referee a reason to give a yellow card.”

The Dutch announced on Oct 12 that the Liverpool skipper will leave their camp, with Koeman confirming that he will not add to his squad for the trip to Germany, who head Nations League Group A3 with seven points from three matches, two more points than the Netherlands.

It makes it a vital fixture in which the Dutch can displace Germany at the top of the pool with a win, or fall five points adrift with two games to play.

Koeman’s side trailed to a 32nd-minute goal from Roland Sallai, but equalised late on through Denzel Dumfries, four minutes after van Dijk’s 79th-minute red card.

Hungary led when Tijjani Reijnders lost possession in midfield and Zsolt Nagy’s cross to the back post was volleyed into the net by Sallai, who had been an injury doubt before kick-off.

The Dutch created numerous chances, but looked to be heading for defeat – their night made worse by their captain’s sending-off – before Dumfries headed in Cody Gakpo’s free kick to equalise.

Koeman said: “Even with 10 men, we tried to put pressure forward... If you have a man less, you are relieved that you still finish 1-1.”

Dumfries, who finished the game wearing van Dijk’s captain’s armband, praised the players for their fight.

“It was frustrating because Hungary kept their structure and played in transition,” he said. “When they went 1-0 ahead, you knew they will hang back even more.

“In the second half we recovered well. I think 1-1 is fair.

“It was fantastic how we did that. Compliments to the team for how we held our ground.

“That’s how you ultimately become successful.”

Hungary had been hoping for a first win over the Netherlands in 40 years, but did at least end a run of nine straight defeats by the Dutch.

“Hats off to everyone. This attitude, this will to win, is necessary in order to be on par with the opponent,” said their coach Marco Rossi.

“The taste is a bit bitter. They got the goal in the 83rd minute with us having a man advantage, from a set-piece position.

“The Dutch are full of (tall) players, so a free kick close to the goal is always dangerous.

“But congratulations to the guys. I don’t like to defend so much, but it is necessary against an opponent of this quality.” REUTERS, AFP