Ajax striker El Ghazi proud of Dutch nat’l football selection

With seven goals from six games, the call came as a surprise to Ajax striker Anwar El Ghazi when Dutch coach Danny Blind added him in the Dutch squad for the last two European Championship qualifiers on Friday. El Ghazi said he was not even thinking about becoming part of the men's national team when he read it on the internet, and was really happy about his selection, he told the Parool.

The Netherlands, who play their last two qualifying matches against Kazakhstan (October 10 in Astana) and Czech Republic (October 13 in Amsterdam) will be battling for third place in their group, which could put them into the European Championship in France next year.

The rookie says he has faith the Dutch will qualify and that he will do his best although there have been doubt about his selection. Cited for his inconsistency he responded that the whirlwind start that he has had has made his opposition weary of him and has set-off alarm bells among his opponents. He added that everyone has their opinion but he cannot let that belittle him.

The Netherlands have a slim chance of qualification needing Turkey to lose at least three points in its remaining matches with Czech Republic and Iceland, while only victory in their next two encounters will suffice.