AZ Alkmaar left-back Owen Wijndal is delighted after being called up to the Netherlands squad for the first time.
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The 20-year-old has been included in the Oranje squad for the first time as they take on Poland and Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
Speaking to the AZ Alkmaar website, Wijndal revealed that he knew about the call-up for a while, but was only allowed to tell his parents.
It’s been a big year for the left-back, and he realises it has gone very quickly for him, ‘It went quickly. In the beginning I thought of looking further than AZ. Then I got a chance, I took it and I had a good season. And then you also come into the picture at Oranje.”
It’s a dream come true for the defender, “You dream of this when you are little. When you start playing football, you look at those guys and you think: You want to be there too.”
Wijndal is included, but his AZ teammates Calvin Stengs, Myron Boadu and Teun Koopmeiners were not, “They are, of course, disappointed. I understand that. They keep working hard to be there next time. I have every confidence in that. I have to do without them now, but it will be fine.”
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Thrilled for Wijndal & Koopmeiners & Bizot. Wijndal is huge young talent & I think Koop goes under radar a bit bc mid is so strong but a terrier & great left foot plus good cover at CB & class from spot
Bizot I’d love to see on goal had an unbelievable last season & deserves a go imo.