Ronald Koeman is left fuming by Virgil van Dijk red card – after the Liverpool star was sent off for the first time for the Netherlands in Hungary draw

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman struggled to understand why skipper Virgil van Dijk was booked for protesting a decision with the referee, only to be sent off just minutes later.

Van Dijk received the first red card of his international career during the Netherlands’ 1-1 draw with Hungary on Friday after he picked up two yellow cards within three minutes.

The first booking stemmed from his protests to referee Lukas Fahndric after Dutch star Donyell Malen was knocked to the turf late in the second half.

Van Dijk then committed a foul that forced Fahndric to brandish a second yellow and subsequently send the Dutch captain off for an early shower.

Speaking after the match, Koeman went in to bat for the Liverpool star and was left baffled as to why Van Dijk picked up a booking for discussing the foul on Malen.

The Dutch skipper was sent off minutes after he picked up his first yellow against Hungary

Koeman was left furious after Van Dijk copped a yellow for protesting a referee’s decision

‘That moment was frustrating,’ Koeman told NOS.

‘I don’t understand it either. I think we have agreed that a captain can protest to a referee. That violation (on Malen) was good for a red card. There was no intention at all to play the ball.

 ‘The fact that Virgil then takes that second card is not convenient. He just had to follow along, but he knows that himself.’

Van Dijk conceded the red card was ‘a bummer’, but the first booking rendered him ‘especially angry.’

‘They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee,’ Van Dijk told ESPN Netherlands.

‘I walk up to him. Up tempo, but not in a nasty way, not at all. Very respectful. Because I felt it was a breakaway player, he did not go for the ball at all.

‘If even the captain can not say anything … then it gets difficult.’ 

Van Dijk’s red card left the Dutch with a difficult task after Roland Sallai put Hungary in front in the 32nd minute.

Hungary secured a surprise lead over the Dutch in the first half via Galatsaray’s Roland Sallai

Denzel Dumfries managed to salvage a late point for the Netherlands against Hungary

The result maintained the Netherlands’ unbeaten run in the Nations League after three games 

Despite the lion’s share of possession, the Netherlands simply could not find a way through a resolute Hungary defence.

However, Denzel Dumfries popped up with a thumping header in the 83rd minute to salvage a draw for the Dutch.

The result kept Koeman’s side second in Group 3 in the Nations League A on five points while Hungary sit third with two points.

The Netherlands take on group leaders Germany on Monday in their final international fixture before club football resumes.