Kees Smit withdraws from Jong Oranje’s decisive Denmark play-off
The AZ midfielder remains short of full fitness, leaving Michael Reiziger without another player for the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.
Kees Smit will not join Jong Oranje for their decisive European Under-21 Championship play-off against Denmark. The AZ midfielder had been included in Michael Reiziger’s squad after recently returning from injury, but has concluded that he is not yet ready for international duty.
Smit confirmed his withdrawal after AZ’s 4-3 victory over FC Groningen. “I am still building up,” he told NH, as quoted by De Telegraaf, adding that the decision had been made in consultation. His absence deprives Reiziger of a creative midfield option for both legs of the tie.
Jong Oranje are already without Ayoub Oufkir and Lequincio Zeefuik. AZ winger Oufkir, who debuted for the Dutch Under-21 side during the previous international window, has subsequently been called into Morocco’s senior squad and can no longer represent the Netherlands at youth or senior level. Fortuna Sittard striker Zeefuik is unavailable through injury.
The Netherlands will visit Denmark on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 18:30, before staging the return match in Almere next Tuesday at the same time. The winners will qualify for next summer’s European Under-21 Championship in Albania and Serbia. The tournament also carries wider significance because Europe’s places in the Olympic football competition will be allocated there.
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