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Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman was left perplexed by Virgil van Dijk’s “irritating” purple card in his aspect’s 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday.
Van Dijk, making his 77th look for his nation, acquired the primary dismissal of his worldwide profession with two yellow playing cards within the house of three minutes within the second half.
The primary reserving stemmed from his protests to referee Lukas Fahndric after a foul on Donyell Malen, earlier than committing a foul quickly after to obtain his marching orders.
Van Dijk’s dismissal appeared to have settled the competition after Roland Sallai had smashed dwelling Zsolt Nagy’s cross at hand Hungary a objective benefit within the first half.
However the Netherlands drew stage 4 minutes after happening to 10 males when Denzel Dumfries headed Cody Gakpo’s free-kick past Denes Dibusz to seal a share of the spoils.
Talking after the sport, Koeman was left baffled by the choice at hand Van Dijk a primary yellow card for discussing the foul on Malen with the referee.
“That second was irritating,” Koeman advised the NOS. “I don’t perceive it. I feel we agreed {that a} captain can protest to a referee.
“That foul [on Malen] was good for a purple card. There was no intention in any respect to play the ball. That Virgil then takes that second card just isn’t handy. He is aware of that himself.”
2005 – @OnsOranje discovered the web after receiving a purple card for simply the primary time since 7 September 2005, with Virgil van Dijk turning into the oldest participant to be despatched off (33 years and 95 days) since Phillip Cocu in that very same match (34 years and 313 days). Extremities. pic.twitter.com/7IPaOSC6Vg
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) October 11, 2024
Van Dijk’s purple card additionally noticed him turn into the oldest participant to be despatched off (33 years and 95 days) since Phillip Cocu (34 years and 313 days) towards the identical opponents.
The Liverpool captain had loved a stable recreation up till his dismissal, finishing extra passes (145) than some other participant, 99 of which got here within the first 45 minutes, solely including to his frustration in his evaluation at full-time.
“[The red card] is a bummer. It mustn’t have occurred. However I’m particularly indignant in regards to the first,” Van Dijk advised ESPN Netherlands.
“They are saying the captain is the one one who can discuss to the referee. I stroll as much as him. Up tempo, however not in a nasty approach, by no means. Very respectful.
“As a result of I felt it was a breakaway participant, he didn’t go for the ball in any respect. If even the captain cannot say something … then it will get tough.”
