Dutch coach Koeman banks on ‘strong personality’ van Dijk for opener

Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman underlined the importance of captain Virgil van Dijk ahead of the team’s World Cup opener against Japan near Dallas later on Sunday.

The 63-year-old said that a coach always wants a skipper who is a key figure on and off the pitch.

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The 34-year-old van Dijk is set to start as the Oranje’s defensive leader even though he did not have a good season at Liverpool.

“When he is on the pitch, he is a great defender,” the coach said. “Off the field he has a strong personality. He maintains the great atmosphere in the group. We are very happy to have him.”

Given the advanced age of his captain, Koeman said it was “very likely” his last World Cup, “so we hope it will be an unforgettable experience for him.”

Koeman also revealed that first-choice goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who had recently been carrying an injury, is fit and will start in goal. Mark Flekken of Bayer Leverkusen will be his back-up.