- Koeman was furious after Van Dijk was booked for protesting against a challenge
- Van Dijk was sent off a few minutes later as the Netherlands drew 1-1 against Hungary
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Dutch manager Ronald Koeman struggled to understand why captain Virgil van Dijk was shown a yellow card for protesting against a decision to the referee, but was sent off just minutes later.
Van Dijk received the first red card of his international career during the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw against Hungary on Friday, after receiving two yellow cards within three minutes.
The first booking stemmed from his protests to referee Lukas Fahndric after Dutch star Donyell Malen was knocked to the ground late in the second half.
Van Dijk then committed a foul that forced Fahndric to brandish a second yellow and then sent the Dutch captain away for an early shower.
After the match, Koeman went to bat for the Liverpool star and was left baffled as to why Van Dijk was booked for discussing the foul on Malen.
Van Dijk received a yellow card for protesting what he considered a serious foul on a Dutch teammate
The Dutch captain was sent off the field a few minutes after he received his first yellow card against Hungary
Koeman was furious after Van Dijk was booked for protesting against the referee’s decision
“That moment was frustrating,” Koeman told NOS.
‘I don’t understand it either. I think we agree that a captain can protest to an umpire. That foul (on Malen) was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball.
‘It’s not a good time for Virgil to take that second card. He just had to come along, but he knows that too.’
Van Dijk admitted the red card was ‘a setback’, but the first booking made him ‘extremely angry’.
‘They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee’ Van Dijk told ESPN Netherlands.
‘I walk towards him. Up tempo, but not in a bad way, not at all. Very respectful. Because I had the feeling that it was a frontrunner, he didn’t go for the ball at all.
“If even the captain can’t say anything… it’s going to be difficult.”
Van Dijk’s red card left the Dutch team with a difficult task after Roland Sallai gave Hungary the lead in the 32nd minute.
Hungary secured a surprising lead over the Netherlands in the first half through Galatsaray’s Roland Sallai
Denzel Dumfries managed to save a late point for the Netherlands against Hungary
The result maintained the Netherlands’ unbeaten run in the Nations League after three matches
Despite having the lion’s share of ball possession, the Netherlands simply could not find a way through a determined Hungarian defense.
However, Denzel Dumfries scored in the 83rd minute with a thumping header to salvage a draw for the Dutch team.
The result left Koeman’s side second in Group 3 in the Nations League A with five points, while Hungary were third with two points.
The Netherlands will take on group leaders Germany on Monday in their last international match before club football resumes.
