Netherlands on cusp of moving into last 16
The Netherlands is on the verge of reaching the knockout stage at the World Cup and an overwhelming favorite in their final Group A match on Tuesday against host nation Qatar.
If the Dutch advance it will put more focus on 71-year-old coach Louis van Gaal, who stepped out of retirement just over a year ago to take over the national team while being treated for aggressive prostate cancer.
Host nation Qatar has lost their first two matches and already missed their chance to move on from the group stage.
For the Netherlands a draw will suffice to advance and put the Netherlands into contention again in a World Cup ater failing to qualify four years ago. The Dutch could even get through with a loss if Ecuador beats Senegal in the other Group A match.
In the round of 16, the Netherlands would face one of the top two teams from Group B, where England is the favorite with Iran, Wales, and the US scrambling for a spot.
Van Gaal said before the World Cup that the Netherlands can win it all, although few see this as one of the country’s best teams.
No powerful soccer nation has come up short at the World Cup as oten as the Dutch, who have been the runners-up three times: in 1974 against West Germany, in 1978 facing Argentina, and in 2010 vs. Spain.
The Dutch also finished third in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil ater losing a shootout against
Argentina in the semi-finals.
Ater being out of the game for several years, Van Gaal came out of retirement and replaced Frank de Boer in August of 2021. He said he did it out of duty.
“Because, simply, no one else was available at that time,” Van Gaal said.
Van Gaal’s mater-of-fact courage has to be a motivator for the Dutch. But he might also stir up Qatar.
DUTCH RISING STAR gakpo WILL go ‘MUCH FURTHER’, SAYS VAN GAAL: Van Gaal said on Monday that he thinks Cody Gakpo will “evolve much further” ater the youngster’s two crucial goals at the World Cup.
The 23-year-old already has 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV Eindhoven in all competitions this season and has been heavily linked with a possible move to a top European club, most notably Manchester United.
His header in a 2-0 win over Senegal and fine let-footed strike in a draw with Ecuador have put the Dutch in pole position to qualify for the World Cup last 16 from Group A.
“I had more or less expected that he would evolve this way but I believe that he’s going to evolve even further, much further, so I’m not surprised (by his performances) at all,” Van Gaal told a pre-match press conference.
“It’s marvellous that he can do this on the world stage.”