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Justin Kluivert gets Dutch call-up as new coach Ronald Koeman shows hand

ByReuters

Updated 07/03/2018 at 14:28 GMT

New Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has named a 33-man preliminary squad for this month's friendlies against England and Portugal, including a first call-up for Justin Kluivert whose father Patrick was a national team stalwart.

Ajax Amsterdam's midfielder Justin Kluivert reacts after opening the scoring during the Dutch Eredivisie soccer match between Ajax Amsterdam and FC Twente Enschede

Image credit: Getty Images

The Ajax Amsterdam teenager was one of seven players to receive a first call-up on Wednesday as new coach Koeman refreshes the squad after taking over last month following their failure to qualify for this year's World Cup in Russia.
Italian-based midfielder Hans Hateboer; Ruud Vormer from Belgian league leaders Bruges; Steven Bergwijn of Dutch frontrunners PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar trio Marco Bizot, Gus Til and Wout Weghorst were also included for the first time.
Koeman has kept faith with Manchester United's versatile Daley Blind despite a lack of recent game time and recalled fellow defender Jeffrey Bruma after a long injury lay-off.
The new coach toured top Dutch clubs last week and also went to see leading players Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder before making the squad announcement.
Sneijder called time on his international career at the start of the week while Robben did so last year.
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Arjen Robben

Image credit: Getty Images

The Dutch host Russia-bound England in Amsterdam on March 23 and Portugal in Geneva three days later.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Marco Bizot (AZ Alkmaar), Jasper Cillessen (Barcelona), Sergio Padt (Groningen), Jeroen Zoet (PSV Eindhoven)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Daley Blind (Manchester United), Jeffrey Bruma (VfL Wolfsburg), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax Amsterdam), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio), Timothy Fosu-Mensah (Crystal Palace), Daryl Janmaat (Watford), Karim Rekik (Hertha Berlin), Kenny Tete (Olympique Lyonnais), Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Marten de Roon, Hans Hateboer (both Atalanta), Davy Propper (Brighton & Hove Albion), Kevin Strootman (Roma), Guus Til (AZ Alkmaar), Donny van de Beek (Ajax Amsterdam), Tonny Vilhena (Feyenoord), Ruud Vormer (Club Bruges), Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool)
Forwards: Ryan Babel (Besiktas), Steven Berghuis (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Steven Bergwijn, Luuk de Jong (both PSV Eindhoven), Memphis Depay (Olympique Lyonnais), Bas Dost (Sporting Lisbon), Justin Kluivert (Ajax Amsterdam), Quincy Promes (Spartak Moscow), Wout Weghorst (AZ Alkmaar) (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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