Van Dijk ‘sad’ for Mane as Netherlands put together for Senegal World Cup take a look at
Virgil van Dijk of the Netherlands expressed disappointment that former Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane would miss the World Cup resulting from damage, although it is going to bolster Dutch probabilities.
The defender was purported to face Mané within the Netherlands‘ first Group A match towards Senegal on Monday, however the Bayern Munich attacker is out of the event after sustaining a leg damage whereas enjoying for his membership.
“I called him the next day and obviously I wanted to know how he was,” Van Dijk mentioned at his staff’s pre-match press convention in Doha.
“There were so many rumours coming out. As a friend I wanted to know how he was. It wasn’t the best news he has had and unfortunately he won’t be able to make this tournament.”
Before reuniting at Anfield, Van Dijk and Mane have been teammates at Southampton. They shared a Premier League and Champions League victory with Jurgen Klopp.
Mané departed Liverpool earlier this 12 months to start a brand new life at Bayern.
“I feel sad for him,” Van Dijk added. “I know how hard he worked for this and he has been important for Senegal so he is going to be a big miss for them.
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“But hopefully we can benefit a little from that as well.”
After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Netherlands will play of their first World Cup match ever on Monday on the Al Thumama Stadium within the capital of Qatar.
The return of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who led the squad to 3rd place in 2014, highlighted the drawback Memphis Depay’s absence for his staff.
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The 28-year-old Barcelona ahead has featured simply as soon as since September regardless of having 42 targets in 81 video games for his nation, together with 12 within the World Cup qualifying for Qatar.
“This is the match that sets the tone for the rest of the tournament and Senegal are the African champions so they are not just any old opponent,” mentioned Van Gaal.
“I think that Mane is an extraordinary player. I wanted him at Manchester United, when he was still at Southampton, so I am a fan of Mane.
“He can break open a match and I would say that Senegal will really miss him, but the same applies to us. We will really miss our top scorer.”
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