Just as harsh as Nigel de Jong’s tackle on Newcastle’s Ben Arfa was, Netherlands’ coach Bert van Marwijk has been harsh on the Dutch player by omitting him from his Euro 2012 qualifying campaign roster.
The 2010 World Cup beaten finalists will entertain Moldova and Sweden in their next two qualifiers, but the Manchester City defender won’t take part in any of these matches. Nigel de Jong was previously criticized for his terrible tackles on USA’s Stuart Holden and Spain’s Xabi Alonso in the past. Now last week, the Sky Blue was accused of “going too far” with his clumsy challenge on Newcastle’s Ben Arfa.
According to Netherlands Coach Bert van Marwijk, Nige de Jong’s attitude as a defender on the pitch has become unacceptable and the player is unworthy of more playing time at the moment. The Dutch boss explained during a press conference:
“Nigel has simply gone too far this time. It’s a shame, it really is, that such a thing has happened.
“In this kind of situation, there are no winners. Hatem Ben Arfa has sustained a serious injury, Nigel is getting a lot of criticism, and now I’ll have to deal without one of my key players in two important [Euro 2012 qualifying] matches.
“It didn’t took long for me to think about what I should do about this matter. Right away, I felt that Nigel’s tackle was unacceptable. Nigel has already been involved in a number of incidents before, and I have discussed those incidents with him. This was simply too much.”
The Netherlands might feel the void caused by Nigel de Jong’s absence in defense – especially against Sweden perhaps. As things stand in Group E in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, the Oranje share the top spot with the Swedes who only lead through a better goal difference.
Moldova, meanwhile, are 3 points behind in the table. Will they provide an upset on Friday night?
According to Netherlands Coach Bert van Marwijk, Nige de Jong’s attitude as a defender on the pitch has become unacceptable and the player is unworthy of more playing time at the moment. The Dutch boss explained during a press conference:
“Nigel has simply gone too far this time. It’s a shame, it really is, that such a thing has happened.
“In this kind of situation, there are no winners. Hatem Ben Arfa has sustained a serious injury, Nigel is getting a lot of criticism, and now I’ll have to deal without one of my key players in two important [Euro 2012 qualifying] matches.
“It didn’t took long for me to think about what I should do about this matter. Right away, I felt that Nigel’s tackle was unacceptable. Nigel has already been involved in a number of incidents before, and I have discussed those incidents with him. This was simply too much.”
The Netherlands might feel the void caused by Nigel de Jong’s absence in defense – especially against Sweden perhaps. As things stand in Group E in the Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, the Oranje share the top spot with the Swedes who only lead through a better goal difference.
Moldova, meanwhile, are 3 points behind in the table. Will they provide an upset on Friday night?
