Netherlands line up Norway and Ecuador as pre-World Cup tests
The Netherlands will face Norway and Ecuador in March as part of their preparations for next summer’s World Cup, the Dutch FA confirmed on Monday.
The announcement comes shortly after the weekend’s World Cup draw, which placed the Oranje in Group F alongside Japan, Tunisia, and the winner of the upcoming European playoff involving Albania, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine.
Both Norway and Ecuador have already secured their spots at the tournament. The Dutch will meet Norway on March 27, followed by a clash against Ecuador four days later. The matches will be held in the Netherlands, with exact venues still to be announced.
Head coach Ronald Koeman said the national team specifically wanted to test themselves against opposition from different continents.
“We wanted a European and a South American opponent in the build-up to the World Cup,” Koeman explained.
“In March we’ll get to play strong teams with contrasting styles, which will help us take the next steps toward the tournament.”
The World Cup, staged across Canada, Mexico and the United States, begins in June.
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