Ronald Koeman has shared his intention to use the upcoming friendlies against Norway and Ecuador as an opportunity to closely evaluate several players ahead of the World Cup. For many athletes, these March fixtures will serve as a final opportunity to demonstrate to Koeman that they deserve a place on the squad for the summer tournament. With key players like Noah Lang and Memphis Depay sidelined due to injuries, others will seize this moment to make a compelling case for inclusion in the final roster.
One such player eager to make an impression is AZ talent Kees Smit. The 20-year-old is expected to make his senior debut for the Netherlands during one of these upcoming matches.
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The Netherlands will be competing against Tunisia and Japan in Group F of the World Cup. Japan is expected to be the more challenging opponent, and both teams will be aiming to advance from the group stage. Additionally, the Oranje will be keeping an eye on the upcoming playoffs for the final spots, particularly focused on the UEFA path, where one of Sweden, Ukraine, Poland, or Albania will be joining them in Group F.