Netherlands’ document scorer Memphis Depay will miss his nation’s World Cup qualifier away to Malta on Thursday after saying his passport was stolen in Brazil, the place he performs for Corinthians.
Depay, 31, broke Robin van Persie’s document with two objectives within the 3-2 victory away to Lithuania within the Netherlands’ final Group G qualifier, taking him to 52, however will miss an opportunity to spice up his tally towards Malta, who the Dutch beat 8-0 at house in June.
He’s anticipated to go away on Monday for Amsterdam having missed his scheduled Sunday departure.
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“The plan I had in thoughts for this week will in the end change considerably due to this,” coach Ronald Koeman advised a Monday press convention. “He received’t begin, no.”
Earlier an announcement from the Dutch FA stated: “The participant has introduced that his passport was stolen, stopping him from making his scheduled flight from Brazil on Sunday night.”
“Memphis couldn’t discover his passport in Brazil, he went to the airport with out one however that didn’t work, even if you happen to’re Memphis,” Koeman quipped.
Requested if the rest had been stolen, the coach added: “No, simply his passport however we’ve too good a relationship to assume the story isn’t true.
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“Now he’s flying in a while an emergency passport. He’ll be within the Netherlands by 9:30 on Tuesday morning. Everybody has the precise to be late on occasion. No, it’s not a punishment.”
On Sunday, the Dutch referred to as up Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners as a alternative for the injured Quinten Timber.
A win over Malta will see the Dutch take a three-point lead on the prime of the group. They’ve 10 factors from their opening 4 matches, forward of Poland, who’ve a pleasant on Thursday towards New Zealand, on aim distinction with a recreation in hand.
The Netherlands additionally host Finland on Sunday, when Depay will seemingly function. The group winners qualify for the finals in North America with the runners-up going into the playoffs.