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Louis Van Gaal warns his own Dutch team about the ‘fanatical and sharp’ US as the two teams prepare to meet in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday.
Louis Van Gaal is not taking the USMNT lightly ahead of the Netherlands’ Round of 16 clash with them this weekend.
The Netherlands advanced comfortably from Group A with seven points, only dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Ecuador, but now faces an athletic USA team in the knockout stage.
While Gregg Berhalter’s side scored just two goals in Group B, they edged England to a goalless draw and impressed in the group stage with dynamic midfield play from Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
Louis Van Gaal has warned his own US side ‘sharps’ ahead of the round of 16
Now a more methodical Dutch squad will have to bypass the USA to reach the quarterfinals.
“I know from experience that the matches against countries like the United States and Australia, which we faced at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, are always very difficult,” Van Gaal said on Thursday.
‘They are very fanatical and sharp on the ball.’
While the Dutch ran their business in a fairly straightforward group that includes Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar, there’s a feeling they haven’t reached the top level of the tournament yet.
They totaled just eight shots on goal during the group stage and, statistically speaking, were more of a clinical side than a highly creative one.
USMNT’s high-energy midfield caused problems for England and could do the same for the Dutch
Regardless, they’ll be hoping Memphis Depay’s improved health will make the difference against the US after the striker started against Qatar.
Depay was only fit enough to come off the bench against Senegal and Ecuador, but said he has recovered from a hamstring problem ahead of Saturday’s knockout clash.
“I’m in shape,” he said. ‘The knockout phase is serious business. We’ve passed the group stage, now we can’t afford to sneak into it.
“A lot of people thought it would be a piece of cake, but it’s always a little different.”
The USA advanced with five points after drawing draws against England and Wales and beating Iran in the final group game to clinch qualification.
A win against the Netherlands would put the Stars and Stripes into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2002.