Louis van Gaal’s Netherlands have been repeatedly criticized for being “too boring,” but a clinical counter-attacking display on Saturday saw them pick off the US to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA 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 is likely to silence some of the critics, with many of Van Gaal’s big decisions paying off.
Photo: Reuters
His side sat back in the first half against the US and cut through them with a wonderful move of 20 passes to score the opening goal through Memphis Depay, exposing the wide spaces left in behind the US defense.
“It was a great goal... It was the perfect goal I think,” midfielder Davy Klaassen said.
When Daley Blind swept home their second shot on target on the stroke of halftime, the US had a mountain to climb.
Photo: AFP
Haji Wright pulled one back late on, but the Netherlands, who did not qualify in 2018 but have only conceded six goals in 11 World Cup games under Van Gaal, secured progression through Denzel Dumfries.
In truth, a comeback was never likely against the well-organized Netherlands, traditionally known for expansive soccer.
“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],” Klaassen said.
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 hosts Brazil after losing on penalties to Argentina in the semi-finals.
That side kept clean sheets in both those matches, and the quarter-final 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,” captain Virgil van Dijk said. “He’s been very good for Dutch football.”
However, the 71-year-old has been under pressure in Qatar since saying that the Oranje are targeting becoming world champions for the first time.
One reporter told 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,” Van Gaal said.
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,” Van Gaal said.
With Depay fit to start after only being used as a substitute in the first two matches, the Netherlands appear primed to go even further ahead of their last-eight tie against Argentina on Friday.
The US enjoyed the majority of possession at Khalifa International Stadium but always struggled to create chances more than their opponents. The comfortable nature of the victory even allowed Van Gaal to rest Depay and Ake late on in a day when almost everything went right for him.
“He’s Louis van Gaal and he never changes. What you see is what you get,” wingback Daley Blind said. “He’s a great personality and we’re very happy that he’s with us.”
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