Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow has been appointed first-choice goalkeeper for the Netherlands national team by head coach Ronald Koeman. De Telegraaf reports that Bijlow is expected to feature between the sticks during Wednesday’s Nations League semi-final clash against Croatia.
Brentford’s Mark Flekken and Heerenveen’s Andries Noppert were the other two goalkeepers selected for the squad ahead of the Nations League finals. In a press conference ahead of the game, Koeman hinted that 25-year-old Bijlow would remain between the sticks in a penalty shootout. He said ‘I am not in favour of changing goalkeepers for a penalty shootout. Or there should be such a big difference between one and the other. In any case, we trained on penalties this week.’
Justin Bijlow featured 34 times in all competitions for Feyenoord last season as the club lifted the Eredivisie title and reached the Europa League quarter-final. He kept 12 clean sheets in 25 league appearances last season. Bijlow has previously only played six senior games for the Netherlands national team, but now it seems he’s the first choice shot stopper.
