Xavi brings recalled player back into the Netherlands squad

Gjivai Zechiël will rejoin the Netherlands national team on Monday. The midfielder confirmed it on Friday evening after Jong Oranje's disappointing 0-0 draw with Norway and can now prepare for his debut under head coach Xavi.

Zechiël had already trained with the senior Netherlands side earlier this week, but knew in advance he would be available for Jong Oranje against Norway. "I already knew beforehand that I would play this match. I had known that for quite a long time, so I was able to prepare for it", he told ESPN.

Switching between the Netherlands, Jong Oranje and Feyenoord has not been easy, the midfielder admitted. "You train there and then suddenly you have to play here. At the Netherlands they ask something different again than here, and at Feyenoord something different is asked again as well, so you have to adapt to three systems in a short space of time."

After the match against Norway, Zechiël will not stay with Michael Reiziger's side. "I will go back to the Netherlands. Not on Sunday, because that is of course too soon after today, but I will rejoin them on Monday", he confirmed.

So Zechiël now looks set to miss Jong Oranje's matches against Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. "That's what I expect, yes."

A possible debut with the senior Netherlands side now awaits. "We'll see. I'm working hard for it and I hope I get to make my debut, and then I'll try to make an impact there", said the Feyenoord player.

In his first few training sessions with the senior Netherlands side, Zechiël quickly noticed the higher level. "It is just a bit quicker there, the tempo is a bit higher and the details are just that bit sharper. But that is logical, I think. That is the next step for our group."

Jong Oranje, meanwhile, must carry on without Zechiël in the battle for European Championship qualification. After the goalless draw with Norway, Reiziger's team sit fourth in the group and no longer have qualification in their own hands.