Pragmatism pays for shrewd Dutch
Van Gaal answers critics with tactical masterclass to send USA packing
DOHA — Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands team has been repeatedly criticized for being boring, but a clinical counterattacking display on Saturday saw it pick off the United States to reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
The veteran coach suggested a reporter should “go home” if he thought the Dutch were not entertaining enough after a 2-0 win over Qatar in the group stage.
The Netherlands’ 3-1 victory on Saturday will silence some of the critics, with many of Van Gaal’s big decisions paying off.
His side sat back in the first half against the US and cut through the Americans with a wonderful move of 20 passes to score the opening goal through Memphis Depay, exposing the wide spaces left behind the American defense.
“It was a great goal... It was the perfect goal I think,” said midfielder Davy Klaassen.
When Daley Blind swept home the Netherlands’ second shot on target on the stroke of halftime, the US had a mountain to climb.
Haji Wright pulled one back late on, but the Netherlands, who did not qualify in 2018 but has only conceded six goals in 11 World Cup games under Van Gaal, sealed progression through Denzel Dumfries.
In truth, a comeback was never likely against the well-organized Netherlands, traditionally known for playing expansively.
“Of course we want to (play in a Dutch style), but in the end you want to win and this is the most important thing,” added Klaassen.
Van Gaal took over for a third time last year to lead the Netherlands until the end of this tournament and remains unbeaten excluding penalties at World Cups.
He earned plenty of praise in 2014 when his team finished third, beating host Brazil after losing on penalties
Of course we want to (play in a Dutch style), but in the end you want to win and this is the most important thing.”
to Argentina in the semifinals.
That side kept clean sheets in both those matches and the quarterfinal shootout victory over Costa Rica was led by Van Gaal who moved to Manchester United after the World Cup.
“We’re unbeaten with him so definitely big credit to him,” said Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk. “He’s been very good for Dutch football.”
Criticism ‘a given’
The 71-year-old has been under pressure in Qatar, though, since declaring the Dutch are targeting becoming world champions for the first time.
One reporter put it to Van Gaal that fans were “grinding their teeth” on social media about perceived drab performances.
“That’s your opinion but I don’t think your opinion is the correct opinion,” he replied.
Marshalled by Van Dijk and Nathan Ake, the Dutch have been hard to break down.
Giant goalkeeper Andries Noppert has impressed when called upon since being given his international debut by Van Gaal in the opening win over Senegal.
“I get enough appreciation from the people surrounding me, I know what the media will say about me — they don’t always report in a positive way. That’s a given in football,” said Van Gaal.
With Depay fit to start after only being used as a substitute in the first two matches, the Netherlands appears primed to go even further ahead of its last-eight tie against Argentina next Friday at Lusail Stadium.
The USA enjoyed the majority of possession at Khalifa International Stadium but always struggled to create chances, in contrast to the more clinical Dutch.
The comfortable nature of the victory even allowed Van Gaal to rest Depay and Ake late in a match during which almost everything went right for the veteran coach.
“He’s Louis van Gaal and he never changes. What you see is what you get,” said wingback Blind.
“He’s a great personality and we’re very happy that he’s with us.”
US hurting
Christian Pulisic covered his face as he walked off. Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Kellyn Acosta gathered for a group hug. Tim Weah, DeAndre Yedlin and Sean Johnson sat on the field in a small circle with their cleats off.
“It hurts after a tough loss like that when we feel like we could have had more,” Pulisic said, managing a voice only just above a whisper. “We don’t want to feel like this again.”
“The American public should be optimistic,” said Gregg Berhalter, the first person to play for and coach the US team at a World Cup.
“When you look at the way we wanted to play and did play, it should be positive.”
The US hasn’t reached the quarterfinals since 2002 and was eliminated in the first knockout round, just like in 2010 and 2014.
After the American failure to qualify for the 2018 edition, Yedlin was the only holdover on a roster that was the tournament’s secondyoungest, averaging just over 25 years. “Now they know that feeling of what it’s like to lose after putting so much into it,” the 29-year-old defender said, “and the feeling of defeat from the past can only fuel success in the future.”
Davy Klaassen, Netherlands midfielder on his team’s tactics