The modest victory. It’s not the style at home but at the final whistle of the match against Qatar, there was no great outpouring of joy from the Dutch players. Winners without shining the host country 2-0, they nevertheless validated the first place of the group, which offered them a fairly fair round of 16 against the United States. They didn’t lose either in this first phase but no one is really fooled in the Netherlands. Despite its return to major international tournaments, after missing Euro 2016 and the World Cup, and having been eliminated in the 8th round of the last Euro by the Czech Republic, this team is very hard-working, something that does not please not much in the country of Johan Cruyff, as evidenced by the harsh criticism of former glories such as Marco van Basten or Franck de Boer.
“If the Netherlands reach the final like this, it is useless”even comments an editorial writer from From Telegraaf. “This team is mainly playing not to lose”, strikes another. Words that get along but do not please Louis van Gaal. The latter even challenged the Dutch journalists present in Qatar by giving them an appointment on December 18, the day of the final. “You can comment, but I disagree with you that the implementation is lacking. I’m not going to dwell on that either. I think you see football in a different way than I do. Will you stay here until the final? Well, then you’ll see us again.”
Critics rain on the Oranje
Very experienced, the Pelican has seen others but it is clear that he has struggled to find the right formula since the start of the competition. Faced with Depay’s injury and his moods, the difficulties of Van Dijk and a De Jong who cannot find his marks, the 71-year-old coach has nevertheless tried everything or almost: a three-way defense with and without De Ligt, a player to associate with De Jong (Berghuis against Senegal, Koopmeiner against Ecuador, then De Roon for Qatar), Gakpo in support of the attack or in attack… Different options which have not not brought their share of satisfaction. The players themselves see it. The chemistry does not take, as observers might have feared before the start of the competition.
“We didn’t play well. But we didn’t miss a single opportunity either. I think my own game was sloppy.” recognized De Jong after Senegal. After Qatar, Van Dijk saw him a form of progression in the services even if he says he is aware of the current limits of his team. “I think we have gained confidence. We didn’t miss many opportunities. We could have created more, but we didn’t concede, won 2-0 and took first place in the group. What we feel is that we should play better, and we have to. Maybe it will trigger the players now that the knockout matches are starting.”
Van Gaal can’t find the right formula
The Liverpool defender is not wrong. Everyone repeats it, a new tournament starts after the group stage. This first place will give confidence to a group that needs it. The level will also rise. Where teams from the first round failed to take advantage of Batavian errors, the situation will not be the same as the competition progresses. When it comes to facing the United States, Van Gaal has only one certainty: the great form of Cody Gakpo, already a three-time scorer. “I think they even have one of the best teams, very well coordinated, but we also have a good team, at least I think so.assumes the coach on the eve of the match. I have a vision of things and the players want to implement this project.
According to him, this team should not be taken lightly, especially since a lot of its players have caught cold in recent days because of the air conditioning. “They have many players at top European clubs. So it makes sense that they get results, it’s the result of their process. It may not have been expected by everyone in the United States, but when you see them playing football, it is clear that they will have opportunities. Especially since Gregg Berhalter has been able to give Americans a game identity since the start of the World Cup and he is particularly inspired by the Netherlands, having played there for 6 years at PEC Zwolle, Sparta Rotterdam and SC Cambuur. Better than anyone, he knows this little music. “It is the country with 17 million breeders. You heard the same thing in 2014.” For a semi-final, under Van Gaal…
