Jeroen Kapteijns and Mike Verweij
Today at 12:35
After all, the Belgian federation has finally found out that Openda cannot be used against the Netherlands at all. In the last qualifying game of the Belgian under-21 team, Openda recently received his third yellow card, which means that he is suspended for the next competitive game, which turns out to be the Nations League game against the Netherlands.
“It’s a dream to play for the Red Devils. It’s special to play with such big names. I know them, but I don’t know if they know me. It’s also special to play against the Netherlands, because I played there for two years,” said Openda earlier this week, when he was still ignorant about the suspension.
The good news for the striker, who was loaned by Club Brugge to the Dutch Vitesse last season, is that Belgium will play three more Nations League matches this international period, so that he still has three chances for his debut.
Jacky Mathijssen had to hand over Openda and Onana to A-team: “Important for their development”
National coach Jacky Mathijssen will receive on Sunday (4 pm) with the Belgian promises, who already have their ticket for next year’s European Football U21 in Romania and Georgia (9 June-2 July 2023), on the artificial grass in Sint-Truiden. the last day of play in their Scotland qualifying group. Mathijssen cannot appeal against the Scots to strong holders Loïs Openda (Vitesse, mother club Club Brugge) and Amadou Onana (Lille), who called up national coach Roberto Martinez for this month’s four Nations League matches at the Red Devils. Mathijssen hopes that the two youngsters will enjoy their selection for the A-team, but also play in the spotlight.
“My first task as U23 coach is to get as many boys as possible to reach the level for the Red Devils,” said 58-year-old Limburger on Friday at a press moment at Stayen. “At the U21 they are already learning a bit about what it is like to be away from home for a long time, as with the A-team, and to play ‘do or die’ almost every game. Loïs and Amadou must enjoy, but also show all those European and world stars that our promises mean something. I don’t think guys who come from here have ever fallen through the cracks. I don’t think that will be the case with Lois and Amadou now. Even if they don’t get minutes, it is still a plus to be together with the Red Devils now. It is important for their development.”
Mathijssen did not let his cards look at the line-up in the gala match against Scotland, but showed that he was giving a few less used players their chance. “Guys who have always given everything during qualifying, pushed the titulars to their limits but didn’t always get many minutes and secured results as substitutes, now have an advantage. I also don’t think it’s a good idea to let players who haven’t played a game for four to six weeks after the end of the competition, play a match right now. I’ve also invited a number of young boys from the U19, so we’ll see each other once in a while. Maybe they’ll make some minutes.”
Mathijssen has to do without his captain with Onana on Sunday. “I already have someone in mind who can wear the captain’s armband against Scotland, but I’m not sure yet if he wants that responsibility. Being the captain of the national team is not nothing.”
ALSO READ. Carl Hoefkens wants Loïs Openda at Club Brugge next season: “We had contact in recent days”
