National coach Ronald Koeman and captain Virgil van Dijk are looking forward to the return of Orange to Groningen. Both Koeman and Van Dijk have a past at the club and in the city where Malta is the opponent in the World Cup qualification on Tuesday.
“Groningen has been very important to me,” Van Dijk said on Monday at the press conference of Oranje in Zeist. “I got to know my wife there and went to live on myself for the first time. They are only positive memories.”
Van Dijk ended up at FC Groningen in 2010 at the age of nineteen at the age of nineteen. He came over from the youth academy of Willem II and made his debut in the Bronze main force just about a year later.
“If I think back now, my Eredivisie debut comes up first. And not much later we played that crazy game in the play-offs to ADO Den Haag,” Van Dijk said.
FC Groningen won that match on 29 May 2011 5-1 in the Euroborg, after ADO won at home 5-1. ADO was better in the penalty shootout, so the people of The Hague took a European ticket. “I was involved in ADO’s goal. But I also scored twice. I took a very bad free kick, but it went in. It was a special day.”
‘We had an empty wallet’
In the next two seasons at FC Groningen, Van Dijk grew into one of the better defenders of the Eredivisie. Koeman, at the time trainer of Feyenoord, wanted to get him to Rotterdam.
“But we had an empty wallet at Feyenoord,” said Koeman, who joined the press conference next to Van Dijk. “When I was at Southampton later, the wallet was pretty filled. Then I could get Virgil.”
Koeman also played for FC Groningen. As a Groningen boy of seventeen years, he made his debut in the main force in the 1980/1981 season and stayed there until 1983. His father Martin Koeman and brother Erwin Koeman also played for FC Groningen.
Koeman made his debut for Orange in Groningen
In addition, Koeman made his debut for Orange in Groningen in 1983. That is also the last time that the Orange squad finished an international match in the Groningen, although it was then in the Oosterpark stadium.
“I have a lot with Groningen,” said Koeman. “I spent my whole childhood there. Nice that we are going to play now. And I think it is also great for Groningen that the Orange comes.”
Orange against Malta starts on Tuesday at 8.45 pm in the Euroborg and is led by the Spanish referee Ricardo de Burgos.
National coach Ronald Koeman and Captain Virgil van Dijk Are Looking Forward to Oranje’s Return to Groningen. Both Koeman and van Dijk Have A Past with the club and in the city where Malta is the opponent on Tuesday in the World Cup Qualifier.
“Groningen Has Been Very Important To Me,” Van Dijk Said on Monday at the Oranje Press Conference in Zeist. “I with my wife there and lived on my own for the first time. They are only positive memories.”
Van Dijk Joined FC Groningen in 2010 at the age of nineteen as a Brabant Boy. He came from the Youth Academy of Willem II and Made His Debut in The Groningen Main Squad a Little Less Than a Year later.
“When I think back now, my Eredivisie Debut Comes to Mind First. And not much later we play that crazy match in the play-offs Against ADO Den Haag,” Said van Dijk.
FC Groningen won that match on May 29, 2011 with 5-1 in the Euroborg, after ADO had won 5-1 at home. ADO was Better in the Penalty Shootout, Giving the Hague Team A European Ticket. “I was Involved in the Goal of ADO. But I also Scored Twice Myself. I Tok a Very Bad Free Kick, But It Went in. It was a special day.”
‘We had an empty wallet’
In The Two Following Seasons at FC Groningen, Van Dijk Grew Into One of the Better Defenders of the Eredivisie. Koeman, then Coach of Feyenoord, Wanted to Bring Him to Rotterdam.
“But we had an empty wallet at feyenoord,” Said Koeman, who Joined van Dijk at the Press Conference. “When I was later at Southampton, The Wallet was QUITE FULL. Then I Could Get Virgil.”
Koeman also Played for FC Groningen. As a Groningen Boy of Seventeen, He made his debut in the Main Squad in the 1980/1981 Season and Remained There Until 1983. His Father Martin Koeman and Brother Erwin Koeman also Played for FC Groningen.
Koeman Made His Debut for Orange in Groningen
MoreOover, Koeman Made his Debut for Orange in Groningen in 1983. That is also the last time that Oranje Played an International Match in Groningen, Although That Was Still In The Oosterpark Stadium.
“I have a lot with Groningen,” Said Koeman. “I spent my entire youth there. Nice that we are going to play there now. And I think it is also great for Groningen that orange is coming.”
Oranje Against Malta Starts on Tuesday at 8:45 pm in the Euroborg and is LED by the Spanish referee Ricardo de Burgos.