Dutch media make feelings clear on Virgil van Dijk after red card against Hungary

The Dutch media have responded to Virgil van Dijk’s sending-off during the Netherlands’ clash against Hungary.

On Friday night, Ronald Koeman’s men travelled to the Puskas Arena in Budapest to take on Hungary in the UEFA Nations League.

The home side went ahead after 32 minutes thanks to Roland Sallai’s goal.

In the second half, as the Dutch chased an equaliser, they were reduced to 10 men when captain Van Dijk received two yellow cards in two minutes.

Van Dijk’s blushes were spared as Denzel Dumfries headed in an equaliser in the 83rd minute to salvage a 1-1 draw.

After the match, the Dutch media was far from impressed with Van Dijk’s actions.

Voetball International’s Martijn Krabbendam rated Van Dijk’s performance a 5 out of 10, the joint-lowest of any Dutch players on the night, labelling it as a ‘failing grade’.

Mikos Gouka of Algemeen Dagblad said the 33-year-old endured an ‘unpleasant evening’ in Budapest.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk was slammed by Rick Kraaijveld of Sportnieuws, who labelled the sending-off as ‘stupid’ while adding: “The situation took place on the side of the field in a fairly harmless position.

“In the last minutes of the match, it is not possible for you as a captain to show your frustration by making a foul. He made a bad impression with that.”

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Speaking after the match, Van Dijk said: “[The red card] is a bummer, should not have happened. But I'm especially angry about the first. They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee.

“I walk up to him. Up tempo, but not in a nasty way, not at all. Very respectful. Because I felt it was a breakaway player, he did not go for the ball at all. If even the captain can not say anything... then it gets difficult.”

As a result of his red card, Van Dijk will now leave the Netherlands’ training camp having been ruled out of the match against Germany.

A statement read: “Captain Virgil van Dijk is leaving Oranje’s training camp. This was decided yesterday in Budapest.

“After his red card in the match against Hungary, he has been ruled out for the game against Germany on Monday.”