A bizarre red card seen by the Dutch captain Virgil Van Dijk had puzzled the coach Ronald Koeman along with the fans in orange. Will the Liverpool captain miss the crucial International fixture against Germany?
There is no doubt that the ex-Barcelona coach would have wanted a victory against Hungary before they head onto the crucial fixture against the Germany National Team. However, the early score by Hungary changed the picture of the game.
Be it the players, the manager, or the fans, everyone is shocked by the bizarre first yellow card of the two. As per the rules, a captain can protest to a referee. It is very reasonable for Virgil Van Dijk to be ‘angry’ at the decision. It was the first time in his career that the Liverpool man was sent off in a National game when he is playing for his country.
What Koeman said about the Virgil Van Dijk sent off
The ex-defender and current manager of the Dutch National Team had a lot to say about this. On the first yellow card, Koeman said:
“That moment was frustrating. I don’t understand it. I think we agreed that a captain can protest to a referee.”
The coach has also went on and pointed out the lack of awareness of Virgil Van Dijk:
“That foul (on Malen) was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball. That Virgil then takes that second card is not convenient. He knows that himself”
Even though the National team didn’t get the desired outcome, the manager is hopeful for the oncoming fixture:
“We didn’t surrender, we went to play one-on-one and made the equaliser. Then they (Hungary) created some dangerous situations, but we defended well. That way you leave with a reasonable feeling”
Will Van Dijk miss out against Germany?
If only there were rules in place that could alter the bookings post-match when an official fails to hand in a proper reason for a card, maybe football can improve a lot. Everybody on the field should be held responsible for the game. Will we finally get to see such rules? Only time will tell. But for now, the Dutch captain will miss out on the fixture against the German National Team.
Van Dijk on getting the first yellow:
“They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee. I walk up to him. Up tempo, but not in a nasty way, not at all. Very respectful. Because I felt it was a breakaway player, he did not go for the ball at all. If even the captain can not say anything … then it gets difficult.”
Also Read: Mohamed Salah released from Egypt squad, will return to Anfield