Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GAAL OR NOTHING
VVD: Louis’s fight against cancer has inspired us to go extra yard
VIRGIL VAN DIJK says Louis van Gaal’s cancer battle is firing up the Dutch.
The Liverpool defender and his team-mates have been moved by the 71-year-old’s fight and says it has inspired them to go that extra yard. Van Gaal made public his illness seven months ago, and since then has undergone 25 separate courses of treatment to cure cancer in his prostate.
But he appeared in rude health as the Dutch prepared to face Senegal and was his usual irascible, bombastic but goodnatured self after his side wrapped up a 2-0 victory.
Asked what effect the manager’s illness has had on the squad, Van Dijk said: “We’re all human beings and when the news came out, it was a shock for us. It was tough – but it was important we showed our support.
“He’s a very strong man – outspoken – but we wanted to be there for him. It’s not easy to deal with a situation like this, but he’s doing so fantastically.
“He’s our manager and we will fight for him regardless.
“But he’s also a great human being, very direct and we will definitely go that extra yard knowing it’s his last World Cup.
“He’s now got the most wins of any Holland manager. I think he should be very proud of that, and hopefully there are many more to come.”
Late strikes from Cody Gakpo and Davy Klaassen enabled the Oranje to squeeze past the Afcon champions. Van Dijk’s defensive partner, Nathan Ake (above), backed up his teammate’s verdict.
The Manchester City star said that the clarity Van Gaal brings to his role was helping the squad.
Ake said: “The manager is great for us. We haven’t lost yet under him. We know where we are as a team. Everyone knows where they stand. He’s on to us. He gives us a lot of motivation and belief. I think that’s the most important work he does.
“He knows us, trusts us and we trust him – at the moment it’s all clicking into place. It’s hard not to be inspired by him.
“We’re tight anyway, but whether you’re on the bench or in the team, you know what he wants from you. “And everyone wants to fight for him.” It wasn’t a vintage display from Van Gaal’s side, but they did enough against Senegal to suggest that they could be a side that will grow into the competition. Ake believes they have the hunger to progress. “We know we don’t have maybe the best players in the whole tournament, but we have a very good squad,” he said.
“You could see that even though we didn’t play well, we still had the fight and hunger to make sure we won – hopefully we will go far.”