Advocaat to reinstate Sneijder for Netherlands

Netherlands boss Dick Advocaat has confirmed Wesley Sneijder will feature from the start
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in Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg.

The Galatasaray playmaker found himself on the periphery under previous coach Danny Blind and caretaker boss Fred Grim, while a number of pundits have questioned the 32-year-old’s fitness levels in recent weeks.

However, Advocaat is adamant Sneijder remains a key figure for Oranje.

“I have seen Sneijder in action for Galatasaray all season,” the former Fenerbahce coach stated at a news conference ahead of his first game on the bench since his return.

“He was Galatasaray’s best player in my opinion – and probably the best player around in the Turkish top flight, which is a very difficult league.

“So I can already reveal that Sneijder will be part of the starting XI on Friday.

“That is how I feel about him.”

Sneijder will become Netherlands’ most-capped player with his appearance against Luxembourg, having equalled Edwin van der Sar’s figure of 130 games for Oranje in the 5-0 win over Ivory Coast at the weekend.