17-year-old Ajax defender Hato named in Dutch squad

17-year-old Ajax defender Hato named in Dutch squad

He has been included after injuries to centrebacks Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven.

Ajax’s Jorrel Hato (left) tussles for the ball with AEK’s Noureddine Amrabat during a Europa League match last month. (AFP pic)
AMSTERDAM:
Netherlands named 17-year-old defender Jorrel Hato in their squad for this month’s final two European Championship qualifiers against Ireland and Gibraltar, in which they will look to book their place at next year’s finals in Germany.

Coach Ronald Koeman today included the teenager, who made his debut for Ajax Amsterdam in April and has won four Under-21 caps, after injuries to centrebacks Matthijs de Ligt and Micky van de Ven.

The Dutch, who will qualify from Group B if they beat the Irish in Amsterdam on Nov 17, are still without injured Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay but Cody Gakpo returns to the 25-man squad, as does goalkeeper Justin Bijlow, midfielder Jerdy Schouten and striker Calvin Stengs.

They play their last group game against Gibraltar in Faro, Portugal on Nov 21.

The Netherlands have 12 points from six matches in Group B, six behind leaders France, who have a 100% record and are guaranteed top place in the standings.

Greece are also on 12 points but have played one match more than the Dutch while Ireland are in fourth spot on six points, effectively out of contention.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Mark Flekken (Brentford), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Stefan de Vrij, Denzel Dumfries (both Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida, Quilindschy Hartman (both Feyenoord), Jorrel Hato (Ajax Amsterdam), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)

Midfielders: Marten de Roon, Teun Koopmeiners (both Atalanta), Tijjani Reijnders (AC Milan), Jerdy Schouten, Joey Veerman (both PSV Eindhoven), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord)

Forwards: Steven Bergwijn, Brian Brobbey (both Ajax Amsterdam), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Donyell Malen (Borussia Dortmund), Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig), Calvin Stengs (Feyenoord), Wout Weghorst (Hoffenheim)

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.