Ronald Koeman expects Bart Verbruggen fit for Japan opener

Ronald Koeman says Bart Verbruggen can start for the Netherlands against Japan in the World Cup opener despite injury. Verbruggen was injured in the Netherlands friendly with Uzbekistan and missed the following training session. Verbruggen has earned 29 caps for the Dutch national team and has been Koeman’s preferred goalkeeper in recent years.

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If he is unavailable, Koeman can choose Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs or former Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken; Roofs made a Premier League debut season and has one international appearance, while Flekken has twelve caps.

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Ben Jackson authored the report.