Mats Rots made his dissatisfaction clear following a difficult international break with Jong Oranje, stating he deserved a regular starting spot under coach Michael Reiziger rather than a place on the bench, VoetbalPrimeur reported. The 20-year-old left-back, who moved from FC Twente to TSG Hoffenheim this summer, started the opening qualifying fixture against Norway Under-21 before being left out of the starting lineup for subsequent victories over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia.
Rots Loses Place to Elijah Dijkstra
During the recent international window, Rots featured for the full 90 minutes in the opening match against Norway, but subsequently lost his place to AZ player Elijah Dijkstra, who is naturally right-footed. Reiziger opted for Dijkstra at left-back during the 4–2 away win against Slovenia and the decisive 4–0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina at De Vijverberg in Doetinchem, where Rots watched from the sidelines alongside family members, including his brother Daan Rots.
Reflecting on the decisions after the Bosnia fixture, Rots spoke openly with the Algemeen Dagblad about his omission. I was surprised that I had to start on the bench in Slovenia and now again,
Rots said. I think I have to play. I think that, especially against defensively minded opponents, I can create something with my qualities on the ball. But I have to accept this.
Leon Ten Voorde Critiques Rots' Performance
Speaking on the De Ballen Verstand podcast, FC Twente club watcher Leon ten Voorde addressed the decision to drop Rots, noting that the player’s performances had occasionally lacked urgency. I thought he also played very passively and complacently,
Ten Voorde stated, adding that Rots had faced similar criticism regarding nonchalance during his time in Enschede. He has to bring much more.
There has to be much more fire in that.
He can just make the Dutch national team if he has that.
That he was passed over, I saw that coming.
Ten Voorde also questioned the overall output of the current Jong Oranje squad, which struggled through a qualifying group despite possessing a talented roster on paper, noting that players who won the European Under-19 Championship are still adapting to senior competitive standards.
Jong Oranje Secures Play-Off Qualification
Despite his personal disappointment and an assist delivered as a late substitute against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rots expressed relief that the team ultimately secured qualification for the play-offs. Jong Oranje finished third in their qualifying group — a position Rots described as below expectations for the squad’s caliber — but advanced thanks to results elsewhere, including Norway’s late draw against Israel.
Jong Oranje will discover their opponent for the November play-off fixtures on Friday at 11:00 CET. Potential opponents for the Dutch side include Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, and Ireland, with a spot in the EK 2027 on the line.
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