Virgil van Dijk returned to the Southampton starting eleven over the weekend, and has now been called up to Netherlands squad for their crucial final two World Cup qualifiers.
- By Spencer Steevensz
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Having spent most of the year on the sidelines, either through injury or drama, van Dijk started his first game of the current campaign last weekend as Southampton lost to Stoke City. Having prior made himself a stalwart of the Dutch defense, Advocaat grabbed the chance to have the towering defender on his squad as Oranje will attempt to overcome the inevitable and squeeze out a chance at a World Cup qualifying playoff spot when they face Belarus away on Saturday and Sweden at home next Monday.
Another potential change to the squad is Kevin Strootman, who was taken off injured for Roma just 30 minutes into the start. It hasn’t been confirmed yet whether or not he’ll still report for Netherlands duty.
The Netherlands, with two games left, sit third in their group behind Sweden and France.
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I'm a digital/social marketer out of Chicago. I grew up loving Dutch football - total football is the only way to play. I support PSV in the Eredivisie, and whatever team has the most Dutch guys on it in any other league. Hup Holland Hup!
