Kees Smit Jong Oranje EK qualifying play-offs, Digi Mart USA News: Jong Oranje appeared set to contest the European Championship qualifying play-offs without AZ midfielder Kees Smit, but he has not withdrawn from the squad called up by head coach Michael Reiziger so far.
“I am still building up,” Smit told NH. “After good consultation, it was decided that I stay at AZ.
I want to become one hundred percent fit again, and I am not there yet. That is why it is not sensible to go there now.” Apparently he has been persuaded to change his mind.
Jong Oranje plays the away match in Denmark on Friday and the home match in Almere four days later. The winner of the two-legged tie will qualify for the European Championship, which will be held next summer in Albania and Serbia.
During the previous international window, Smit withdrew at the last moment before the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last week he made his return at AZ.
On Thursday he came on as a substitute against Juventus in the Europa League, and on Sunday he again came off the bench in the won Eredivisie match against FC Groningen. The 20-year-old notes that he is not yet in top condition.
“As a player you feel whether you are close to that, and I don’t have that feeling at the moment.” Last week it became known that Jong Oranje will in any case not have Ayoub Oufkir available for the play-offs. The 20-year-old winger from AZ received a call-up to the Moroccan senior national team.
