Daan Schrijvers was a Dutch professional footballer noted for his role as a central defender and for captaining the Netherlands national side in the mid-1960s. He made his international debut in September 1962 and went on to appear 22 times for his country. Schrijvers combined defensive responsibilities with leadership on the pitch and remained associated with Dutch football throughout his life.

Playing position and characteristics

Schrijvers operated primarily as a defender, a role that in his era emphasized strong tackling, positional discipline and aerial ability. As a defender he was expected to organize the back line, win duels and initiate play from the rear—responsibilities that often fall to experienced centre-backs and full-backs alike. Contemporary descriptions of defenders from the 1960s highlight reliability and reading of the game as core attributes, qualities attributed to Schrijvers during his international tenure.

International career

Schrijvers earned 22 international caps for the Netherlands national team. He first appeared for the Oranje in September 1962 and was later appointed team captain in 1964, a recognition of his leadership among teammates and coaches. His international career took place before the Netherlands rose to global prominence in the 1970s, placing him in an earlier generation that helped shape the national setup.

Context and era

The 1960s were a transitional time for Dutch football, when professional structures and tactical developments began to accelerate. Players such as Schrijvers contributed to the domestic game and to the national squad at a time when Dutch tactics and coaching were evolving toward the innovations that would follow in the next decade.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Born in 1941, Schrijvers represented the Netherlands 22 times and became captain in 1964.
  • He made his international debut in September 1962 and served as a defensive mainstay through the mid-1960s.
  • Schrijvers died on 2 August 2018 at the age of 76, and is remembered for his leadership and steady presence.

For summary information and contemporary references to his career, see general resources on Dutch internationals and historical team records: player profile, descriptions of the defensive role in football defender position, and archives of the Netherlands national team national team records.