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AL RAYYAN, Qatar — At 71 years outdated and after a training profession spanning greater than 30 years, Netherlands supervisor Louis van Gaal most likely will not really feel the necessity for vindication however, if he did, he might fairly simply level to the Dutch efficiency of their 3-1 round-of-16 win over america on Saturday.
Van Gaal has made it clear that his solely intention in Qatar is to win the World Cup and that set alongside that purpose, nothing else actually issues. However after every week throughout which he has confronted criticism for what has been termed “boring” soccer, his group scored three targets — together with one splendidly labored group transfer — and superior to the quarterfinals for the primary time since 2014.
It was no shock that in his post-match information convention, Van Gaal was in a playful temper, at one level leaning to his aspect to plant a kiss on the cheek of man-of-the-match Denzel Dumfries.
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It was little surprise that Dumfries — the Inter Milan full-back named after Denzel Washington — was in his supervisor’s good books after scoring one purpose and aiding on two others. However he additionally, maybe inadvertently, ensured that additional questioning of Van Gaal’s type must wait one other day after revealing that the way in which wherein the US had been dismantled got here straight from the coaching floor.
The Netherlands’ first purpose concerned a build-up of greater than 20 passes that zig-zagged throughout the pitch earlier than Dumfries, enjoying with no consideration wing-back in Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system, was afforded the area out vast to chop the ball again into the penalty space for Memphis Depay to side-foot into the web.
“In that purpose you see all of the sides of the system we play,” mentioned Dumfries. “We assault the areas, change sides effectively and we additionally addressed that in coaching classes. It was a unbelievable group purpose and that is the place you see the core of the system being executed.”
Van Gaal 1, critics 0.
He has confronted doubters earlier than, most just lately throughout his spell at Manchester United between 2014 and 2016, and what was clear, even then, is that he is not going to alter.
Over time, he says he is change into much less involved with enjoying engaging, expansive soccer and extra centered on doing what it takes to win. At instances that may be at odds with a Dutch want for “whole soccer,” however Van Gaal’s message since effectively earlier than arriving in Qatar has been that his precedence is to return residence as world champions, not simply win new followers. His opinion is that it is a lot better to be making ready for a World Cup quarterfinal than to bow out early like Germany and Belgium.
“I do know the media do not all the time report in a constructive means, that may be a given, however high international locations did not progress and we nonetheless have three matches,” mentioned Van Gaal pointedly after victory over america. “I’ve been speaking for a yr that we will change into world champions, not that we’ll, however we will.”
There is a lengthy strategy to go earlier than a potential closing on Dec. 18 however, for now, Van Gaal has at the very least quietened the noise.
After a colorless 1-1 draw with Ecuador within the group stage, there have been requires Netherlands to incorporate extra attacking gamers like 19-year-old PSV Eindhoven midfielder Xavi Simons, however there will likely be no such questions forward of the final eight. Van Gaal’s system labored so effectively towards the US that two targets concerned one wing-back aiding the opposite — first Dumfries for Daley Blind after which Blind for Dumfries.
“I’m extremely joyful if my gamers rating a purpose, particularly like tonight as they had been unbelievable,” mentioned Van Gaal. He then added with a smile: “If the left wing-back provides a cross to the best wing-back and the opposite means round, it’s marvellous and I’m actually proud.”
Whether or not it is Argentina or Australia within the subsequent spherical, there will likely be no change in the way in which Van Gaal units up. That, he insists, is a energy somewhat than a weak point.
“Staff USA did not alter or adapt and we based mostly a tactical plan on that and that most likely allowed us to win,” mentioned Van Gaal. “However I do not anticipate France, Argentina or Spain are going to adapt to the Netherlands. I feel we have now huge probabilities right here.”
Van Gaal says he would not thoughts the criticism — “I get sufficient appreciation from the folks round me,” he mentioned when requested about it — however he can be forgiven for affording himself a smile whereas he watches again the sport on the group resort on Sunday. He would not must be informed he is proper — win or lose, he believes it steadfastly — however validation of his strategies was there towards america, whether or not he needs it or not.
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