Virgil van Dijk gets late Holland call-up after making first Southampton start of the season during defeat at Stoke

  • Virgil van Dijk made his first Southampton start since January at Stoke
  • The defender was overlooked last week when Holland named their initial squad
  • Now head coach Dick Advocaat has issued a late summons to the Saints man 

Holland head coach Dick Advocaat has called up Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk to bolster his back line for two crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Van Dijk was overlooked last week when Advocaat named a 24-man squad for the final Group A matches, against Belarus and Sweden. 

However, Van Dijk got a belated summons on Monday after starting his first match for Southampton this season in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Stoke City.

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk made his first start of the season against Stoke

Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk made his first start of the season against Stoke

Holland manager Dick Advocaat has issued a a late call up to the Southampton man

Holland manager Dick Advocaat has issued a a late call up to the Southampton man

The defender will report with the rest of the Dutch team to Hotel ter Duin, where the players are due at 8.30pm (CET).


The Dutch are third in Group A, four points behind France and three points adrift of Sweden.

Holland, a three-time World Cup runner-up, are struggling to make their second straight major tournament, after failing to qualify for last year's European Championships in France.

Advocaat's side are third in Group A, four points behind France and three points off Sweden

Advocaat's side are third in Group A, four points behind France and three points off Sweden