Watanabe return poses Feyenoord selection question for Go Ahead clash
Reports agree Giovanni van Bronckhorst is likely to retain most of the side that beat Sparta, but differ over who will start in central defence.
UnconfirmedThis report is based on Dutch media speculation and has not been confirmed by the clubs or players involved.
Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst faces one significant selection decision before Sunday afternoon’s Eredivisie home game against Go Ahead Eagles. The Rotterdam side opened the season with a narrow victory at Sparta and are expected to make few changes for their first home fixture.
The uncertainty surrounds Tsuyoshi Watanabe and 19-year-old Thijs Kraaijeveld. Watanabe missed the season opener but has returned to training and will be back in the matchday squad, according to the reports. Kraaijeveld deputised against Sparta and made a strong impression.
The outlets differ on who will get the nod. Voetbalzone expects Watanabe to return immediately and form an experienced central partnership with Jeremiah St. Juste. FCUpdate instead lists Kraaijeveld in its predicted XI, while identifying the choice between the teenager and Watanabe as Van Bronckhorst’s only real dilemma.
Both projections otherwise feature the same personnel. Tjark Ernst is expected in goal, with Givairo Read and Mika Mármol completing the defence. Charles Vanhoutte, Gjivai Zechiël and captain Luciano Valente are tipped to start in midfield, behind Anis Hadj Moussa, Ayase Ueda and Gaoussou Diarra. The match is scheduled to begin at 14:30 on Sunday.
Reported first by
- Vermoedelijke opstelling Feyenoord: Eén vraagstuk voor Van Bronckhorst tegen Go Ahead— FCUpdate
- Vermoedelijke opstelling Feyenoord: uitblinker tegen Sparta moet pas op de plaats maken | Voetbalzone— Voetbalzone
This English write-up is our own summary of the reporting above. Full details remain with the original publishers — please read them at the source.