Oranje squad announced: Luciano Valente included as Netherlands close in on World Cup
Oranje manager Ronald Koeman has announced his squad for the World Cup qualification games against Poland and Lithuania. Feyenoord midfielder Luciano Valente has been included in the squad for the first time. Oranje can qualify for the World Cup held in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with a win against Poland.
It is the first time that the Dutch national squad has been made public with a single announcement. Prior to this, a provisional squad was announced first, which usually had around 25 to 37 players in it. On this occasion, Koeman has announced a squad of 25 players.
Valente has impressed for Feyenoord since joining the club from FC Groningen for 6.75 million euros last summer. The Rotterdammers are currently top of the Eredivisie table.
Some players are set to make their return to the Oranje squad, having missed out last time. Matthijs de Ligt, Lutsharel Geertruida, and Noa Lang returned to the squad having missed the previous round of games against Malta and Finland.
Jeremie Frimpong and Mexx Meerdink are forced to miss this squad through injury, while Stefan de Vrij and Teun Koopmeiners have been left out by Koeman. Koopmeiners has also been struggling with an Achilles Tendon injury recently.
Oranje face Poland on November 14 in Warsaw, before they play at home against Lithuania in the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. Oranje are almost certain to qualify for the tournament, but a victory in Poland would officially confirm their spot in the World Cup next summer. Koeman’s side is three points ahead of Poland in top spot, with a significantly better goal difference.
