Kees Smit injury sparks criticism ahead of Feyenoord vs AZ
AZ Alkmaar will be without midfielder Kees Smit for Saturday’s Eredivisie clash with Feyenoord after the youngster suffered an injury during international duty. His absence is a significant setback for AZ ahead of a demanding trip to De Kuip—and has prompted sharp criticism of how the situation was handled by the Netherlands’ Under-21 setup.
Smit was injured during the warm-up before Jong Oranje’s European Championship qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday. He withdrew before kickoff, with the Netherlands going on to win 4-0, but subsequent reports indicated that the midfielder could be unavailable for several weeks.
The timing is especially frustrating for AZ. Smit has already spent time on the sidelines, and Saturday’s fixture offers a major test against one of the Eredivisie’s strongest sides. Without him, coach Leeroy Echteld must adjust his plans for a match likely to demand discipline, energy and composure in midfield.
Kees Kwakman questions Jong Oranje’s decision-making
Speaking on ESPN’s De Eretribune, former footballer and pundit Kees Kwakman expressed disbelief that Smit was involved in the warm-up when he had a potentially important league match approaching. While Kwakman acknowledged that players must take responsibility for their own fitness, he argued that the national-team staff also had a duty to protect the midfielder.
“As a player, you are ultimately responsible yourself,” Kwakman said, adding that athletes must make sensible decisions about their condition. But he questioned why such a risk was taken in a situation where, in his view, the team had other options available.
Kwakman pointed to the level of monitoring in modern football, where players’ workloads and physical condition are closely tracked. Given that Jong Oranje were playing Bosnia at home, he suggested the coaching staff could have taken a cautious approach and allowed Smit to return to AZ if he was carrying even a minor concern.
His criticism was not simply about the result of one match. Kwakman’s central argument was that Smit’s club commitments and longer-term fitness should have been weighed against the demands of a qualifier that Jong Oranje were capable of winning without him. The 4-0 scoreline, he noted, showed that the team could cope with alternative players.
“You could have told Kees: if you have even a small problem, go back to AZ and make sure you’re fit for Saturday at De Kuip,” Kwakman said in effect. He also questioned whether the Netherlands needed to risk the midfielder against Bosnia when players such as Steur and Van Bergen were available.
Why Smit’s absence matters for AZ
For AZ, losing Smit ahead of a high-profile away fixture is more than a routine squad change. Young midfielders can provide fresh legs, pressing intensity and the ability to move the ball quickly under pressure—qualities that can be particularly valuable against Feyenoord. His absence may therefore influence how Echteld approaches the balance of his side, especially when deciding how to protect possession and respond to Feyenoord’s tempo.
That does not mean the result will hinge on one player. AZ will still have to rely on the depth of its squad and the collective work of the team. But Smit’s injury removes an option at a difficult point in the schedule, while also raising questions about communication between club and country over a player’s physical condition.
These situations are familiar across professional football. Clubs invest heavily in players’ development and fitness, while national teams must prepare for competitive fixtures with the best available squad. When a player is managing a possible issue, clear communication and careful risk assessment become essential. A short-term decision can have consequences for both the player and the teams counting on him.
Echteld urges AZ to move on quickly
AZ coach Leeroy Echteld also expressed disappointment at Smit’s absence, but said the team could not afford to dwell on the frustration with the Feyenoord match approaching. His immediate priority is to prepare the players who are available and ensure they are ready for the challenge at De Kuip.
Echteld also described the episode as a learning opportunity, particularly for Smit. He was not with Jong Oranje and therefore could not speak directly with the midfielder about how he felt before the qualifier. However, the coach noted that Smit may need to be asked more than once about discomfort or fatigue.
“With Kees, you really have to keep asking,” Echteld explained, suggesting that the young player may be inclined to say he is ready to play unless staff probe further. That observation points to a wider challenge in managing promising footballers: confidence and eagerness to compete can make it difficult for a player to communicate uncertainty, even when rest might be the wiser choice.
Feyenoord vs AZ: what to watch
Saturday’s Eredivisie showdown now carries an added storyline. Feyenoord will look to make home advantage count, while AZ must demonstrate that it can adapt without one of its young midfield options. The tactical battle in the centre of the pitch could be especially important, with AZ needing to limit Feyenoord’s ability to build attacks and create pressure around the penalty area.
For supporters following the fixture, Smit’s absence is a key team-news factor to consider when assessing the match prediction. It may affect AZ’s midfield choices and the way Echteld manages the game, although the final outcome will depend on far more than a single injury. Feyenoord’s form, AZ’s response and the effectiveness of each side’s tactical plan will all shape the contest.
For now, the focus is on Smit’s recovery and the decisions that led to his withdrawal from the international camp. Kwakman has placed responsibility on both the player and the national-team staff, while Echteld is concentrating on the next challenge. With the midfielder expected to miss several weeks, AZ must find a solution quickly—and hope that the setback does not disrupt its momentum in a crucial stretch of the season.
