Fans sympathize with Joey Veerman after early substitution in Euro 2024 defeat by Austria

Fans have admitted they were left feeling ‘sorry’ for Netherlands midfielder Joey Veerman after his early withdrawal during his side’s defeat by Austria.

Veerman and Co were playing their third and final group game of the tournament knowing their qualification for the last 16 was confirmed, but having to work out where they would finish in Group C.

It didn’t end they way they wanted it to, finishing third overall, but they have already confirmed their spot in the first knockout stage as at least a best-placed third-place team.

That was how it ended for the Dutch, after they lost 3-2 to group winners Austria in their final match, teeing them up for a likely game against England.

It was double the pain for Veerman, however, who was withdrawn just 33 minutes into a difficult showing.

The midfielder was taken off in the game after 33 minutes on the back of a nightmare half-an-hour

‘Terrible moment in his career but he knows he had to do better than that,’ one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Another wrote: ‘Veerman is having a shocker so far.’

Former Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, meanwhile, said: ‘I felt sorry for Joey Veerman. I was happy he got taken off because it actually became super sad to watch him play.’

Another fan echoed the call, writing: ‘I’m sorry but Veerman’s performance has been dreadful!’ 

Veerman, who plays his club football for PSV, lost possession with 55 per cent of his touches in the game, also securing a passing accuracy of just 47 per cent.

He was seen with his head in his hands and covering his face as he sat on the bench following his withdrawal, also receiving a pat on the back from manager Ronald Koeman.

The 25-year-old was replaced by Xavi Simons, but Netherlands’ fortunes struggled to improve as they ended up losing 3-2, with Koeman’s side trailing 1-0 at the time.

Veerman started his side’s opening game against Poland before being dropped against France, reinstated on Tuesday.

He was replaced by Xavi Simons, though Netherlands still went on to lose the game overall

The midfielder has been linked with Real Madrid this summer following an impressive season with PSV.

One Madrid fan posted on social media: ‘I don’t know why Veerman thinks he has the level to play for Real Madrid.’