AMSTERDAM – Kees Smit’s debut for the Netherlands national team against Norway on Friday night was met with a mixed reception, and veteran football analyst Wim Kieft didn’t shy away from offering a critical assessment. While acknowledging the inherent pressure of a first international appearance, Kieft pointed to a concerning trend: Smit being consistently overlooked by his teammates during play. This observation underscores a harsh reality of top-level football – players must earn the trust and distribution of their colleagues through performance.
The match, played at the Johan Cruijff Arena, saw the Netherlands secure a 2-1 victory over Norway, but the performance of the 20-year-old AZ midfielder was a talking point. Smit stepped into the starting lineup largely due to the absence of the injured Frenkie de Jong, a pivotal figure in the Dutch midfield. The game marked the beginning of the Netherlands’ preparations for the upcoming World Cup, making the debut all the more significant.
Kieft, writing for De Telegraaf, noted that Smit’s performance was uneven, and that he appeared to struggle at times, particularly in the build-up to Norway’s opening goal, where he was beaten too easily by his marker. Andreas Schjelderup capitalized on the opportunity, putting Norway ahead in the 24th minute. Despite the early setback, the Netherlands rallied to secure the win.
“With Frenkie de Jong unavailable and Joey Veerman not currently fitting into Koeman’s plans, the choice came down to Jerdy Schouten or Kees Smit to fill that midfield role,” Kieft explained. He acknowledged Smit’s technical ability but suggested that nerves may have played a factor in his debut performance. Although, the more telling observation was the apparent reluctance of Smit’s teammates to involve him in the attack.
“You could clearly observe that several players bypassed him,” Kieft stated. “When De Jong is in the midfield, every attack seems to flow through him – almost as if it’s contractually obligated. That wasn’t the case with Smit. That’s simply how it works in top-level football. You have to prove yourself before the ball comes your way, and if you don’t, your teammates will look elsewhere.” Kieft, himself a former Netherlands international with 43 caps and 11 goals, drew on his own experience to illustrate the point.
Despite the criticism, Kieft emphasized the value of Ronald Koeman’s experimentation. The coach is clearly looking at options beyond the established stars, recognizing that injuries or unforeseen circumstances could disrupt plans during a major tournament. “It’s perfectly fine for Koeman to experiment with someone like Smit,” Kieft said. “You never know if De Jong will stay fit throughout a major tournament, and a coach needs alternatives.”
Koeman himself acknowledged Smit’s performance had both positive and negative aspects. Speaking to NOS, he noted “a number of highly good moments” but also areas for improvement, specifically highlighting the defensive responsibilities expected of a holding midfielder. “The defensive aspect as a number six can and must be better. But that’s logical,” Koeman said.
Smit may have the opportunity to earn his second cap on Tuesday when the Netherlands face Ecuador at the Philips Stadion. Ecuador will be without Arsenal defender Piero Hincapié for the match, having played a 1-1 draw against Morocco in Madrid on Friday. This friendly provides another valuable opportunity for Koeman to assess his squad and experiment with different combinations ahead of the World Cup.
The Netherlands’ preparation for the World Cup is underway, and while the victory over Norway was a positive start, the debut of Kees Smit served as a stark reminder of the challenges facing young players stepping onto the international stage. The pressure to perform, the need to earn the trust of teammates, and the unforgiving nature of top-level football all contribute to a demanding environment. For Smit, the journey has just begun, and the coming months will be crucial in determining his role in the Dutch squad.
The upcoming match against Ecuador will provide another test for Smit, and a chance to demonstrate the qualities that earned him a place in the national team setup. The game kicks off at 8:45 PM CET (6:45 PM UTC) at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. Fans will be watching closely to see if Smit can build on his debut and establish himself as a viable option for Koeman as the World Cup draws closer.
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