Kees Smit misses out on play-offs with Jong Oranje

AZ midfielder Kees Smit will not participate in the play-offs with Jong Oranje, according to a statement from the player himself.

NOS Voetbal reports that Smit has decided not to join the national team, citing his need to regain full fitness. The 20-year-old midfielder was called up by coach Michael Reiziger, but has chosen to stay with AZ instead. In an interview with NH, Smit explained that he is still in the process of building up his fitness and does not want to risk further injury by joining the team. Jong Oranje will face Denmark on Friday and then host them four days later in Almere, with the winner securing a spot at the European Championship in Albania and Serbia. Smit's decision comes after he was forced to withdraw from the previous international break due to injury, and he has only recently returned to action with AZ, coming off the bench in their Europa League match against Juventus and their Eredivisie win over FC Groningen.

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