{"id":1323133,"date":"2023-09-11T14:15:40","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T13:15:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1323133"},"modified":"2023-09-12T16:08:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T15:08:06","slug":"denzel-dumfries-netherlands-ideal-defender","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/denzel-dumfries-netherlands-ideal-defender\/","title":{"rendered":"“He is the ideal defender” – Rafael van der Vaart praises Netherlands ‘star player’ after Republic of Ireland win"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rafael van der Vaart has lauded Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries as the ‘ideal defender’ following his performance against the Republic of Ireland.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ronald Koeman’s men came from a goal down in their Euro 2024 qualifier to run out 2-1 winners at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n

Dumfries was involved in both Oranje goals as he was days earlier against Greece which saw him register three assists. The 27-year-old Inter Milan full-back won a penalty which Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo converted. He was the provider for Wout Weghorst’s winner subsequently rounding off a performance that saw 109-time capped Van der Vaart wax lyrical about.<\/p>\n

“[Denzel] Dumfries is our big star. He is really our very best player at the moment, he’s involved in everything,” he told Dutch broadcaster NOS<\/em>. “He has provided seven assists in the last seven games, but it could have been even more. He is always on the move. A really great player. His touches are also good, which was different in the past. He is the ideal full-back.”<\/p>\n

\n

Describe ?????? ???????? in one word: <\/p>\n

_______ ??#NothingLikeOranje<\/a> #IRLNED<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/KIDafYgjdx<\/a><\/p>\n

— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) September 11, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n