The Netherlands manager Danny Blind could not hide his frustration as he revealed that 15 of his players are currently missing due to injury.
The Dutch go into Tuesday’s do or die match against the Czech Republic knowing very well that a victory for Turkey against Iceland in the group’s other match, will knock them out of contention for next month’s qualifying play offs.
The Dutch injury crisis worsened last week when goalkeepers Jasper Cillessen and Tim Krul picked up serious injuries against Kazakhstan. They will both be unavailable to face the Czechs.
The Dutch ravaged by injuries reveals Blind
Speaking to the media ahead of the match, Blind expressed dismay over the number of injuries suffered by the Dutch players over the entire course of their Euro 2016 qualification campaign.
“It looks like nothing normal happens any more. This is getting extreme now,” Blind told NOS (via Goal.com).
“First there was Jasper’s injury when we were warming up and then later on Tim got injured as well. It looks like a bad injury,” added Blind.
“We are missing about 15 players now. But I have seen players getting injured all over the globe in qualifiers.”
Kenneth Vermeer en Maarten Stekelenburg vervangers van geblesseerde Jasper Cillessen en Tim Krul. #Oranje
a KNVB (@KNVB) October 11, 2015
When asked about the team he is going to put out against the Czechs, Blind said: “You know that I do not talk about my starting lineup. I know what I want and the players also.
“We spoke about it this morning and that will happen again today and tomorrow. There will not be four of five changes for example.
“Van Dijk put in a fantastic performance at the back. And Tete did a fine job as well. They are in fine form and I never had any doubts about them.”
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Dutch Injury Crisis Detrimental to Euro 2016 Qualification Hopes
The Dutch are already missing players such as Arjen Robben, Kevin Strootman, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij and Quincy Promes. The injuries suffered by their two goalkeepers, Jasper Cillessen and Tim Krul will further stretch the resources of manager Danny Blind, whose team must hope for a miracle if they are to qualify for Euro 2016 to be held in France next summer.