An athlete’s diet must be impeccable, especially when it comes to top-level sports, but the Dutch seem to have neglected such a rule. According to the local media, Ronald Koeman’s national team was ‘hurt’ by chicken curry, which was allegedly the cause of stomach problems and a virus that forced five players to leave the team ahead of the big derby against France at Saint-Denis stadium (Friday, 10.45 PM EAT).The Dutch Telegraph writes that it is no secret that the players have been complaining about the food at the Woodschoten Hotel for a long time, and after dinner on Wednesday a number of players had stomach problems, while the next morning intense vomiting began. Sven Botman, Cody Gakpo, Matthijs de Ligt, Joy Ferman and Bart Verbruggen were so exhausted that their further participation in national team duties was not possible, so they went home.##NAJAVA_MECA_7118145##Interestingly, not all players who ate chicken curry reacted in the same way. For example, Virgil van Dijk was quite amazed by the whole situation, because he had no complaints, but on the contrary, he thoroughly enjoyed the food.”It was very strange. In our group chat, suddenly there were messages that some players were going home, that they were sick. It was a bit of a shock, I don’t know where the story came from, but I also ate curry with chicken and it was delicious. Was that the reason? I have no idea. Nobody has an idea, I can’t even imagine.”The departures of the players followed the earlier dismissals of Frenkie de Jong and Steven Bergwijn, so the Oranje go to the match against the world vice-champion decimated.🚨 NEW: There is a strong belief that a chicken curry served on Wednesday night is the reason for the viral outbreak in the Netherlands camp, which has sent five players, including Cody Gakpo, home ill. #lfc [mike verweij – de telegraaf] pic.twitter.com/ihql0IgzTQ— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) March 23, 2023 “It’s certainly a huge blow, but the guys who are there now have to prove themselves and I believe they will do that. I have confidence in them.”, said Koeman.Koeman has subsequently called up Kiel Scherpen, Ryan Gravenberg and Stephane de Vrij, who he believes will fill the gaps, given that he has at least two quality players in every position in the team.
