Van Gaal warns Dutch have plenty more to offer
Louis van Gaal was critical of his Netherlands side despite their 3-1 victory over the USA sealing a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The Dutch were on the back foot for much of the first half, but went into halftime 2-0 up thanks to fine goals from memphis de pay and Daley Blind.
Haji Wright pulled one back for the USA late on, but Denzel Dumfries struck a third for van ga al’ s men to prevent a nervy finish.
“I was very critical at halftime in my analysis that I share with my players ,” said the 71-year-old. “Although we were in the lead 2-0, I think they were fantastic goals with beauty and team spirit.
“However, in the first half we were dispossessed so much and it was not necessary. That’s simply not acceptable at a World Cup. If you play top-notch countries, you simply can’t make those mistakes.
“In the second half, they did a much better jo bi think, even though we scored fewer goals. Nonetheless we were all very, very pleased and it gives us incredible confidence.
“I think we have big chances here. We still have three matches to go. I’ve been talking about this for a year that we can become world champions.”
Dumfries set up the first two goals and prevented the Us a scoring with a last-gasp clearance, leading van ga al to pay a special tribute in the press conference to the inter Milan right-back.
"Yesterday or the day before yesterday I gave him a big, fat kiss and I’m going to give him another big, fat kiss," said Van Gaal, before leaning over and giving Dumfries a peck on the cheek.