The winner of Saturday’s match will advance to a quarter-final assembly with both Argentina or Australia.
Who: Netherlands vs USA
The place: Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
When: December 3, 6pm (15:00 GMT)
FIFA rating: Netherlands (8), USA (16)
The primary match of the World Cup’s knockout part will pit the Netherlands in opposition to the USA on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium on Saturday, with the European facet looking for to affirm their credentials as severe challengers in Qatar.
There was a lot discuss – principally from the Dutch camp – of the staff’s potential to go all the way in which within the match.
Louis van Gaal’s facet topped Group A, choosing up seven factors with 2-0 wins over Senegal and Qatar to go alongside a 1-1 draw in opposition to Ecuador.
However regardless of going unbeaten, the Netherlands’ three performances to date left loads to be desired with plenty of key gamers but to totally hearth and the facet closely reliant on objectives from the in-form Cody Gakpo.
That may supply hope to the People, who would be the underdogs however have already supplied up some proof of their very own potential in an unbeaten run in Group B which noticed them safe 0-0 and 1-1 attracts in opposition to England and Wales respectively and a gritty 1-0 win over Iran to make sure their progress.
USA sweat on Pulisic health
Whereas the USA sweat on the health of star participant Christian Pulisic – he has a pelvic damage and is being assessed every day – coach Gregg Berhalter stated his staff would haven't any inferiority advanced.
“It’s an important alternative, however it’s not one thing that we’re going into it pondering is an honour,” Berhalter stated. “We should be within the place we’re in. And we wish to maintain going. We don’t wish to be going residence on Saturday.
“And from right here something can occur. All we have to do is play one sport at a time. There’s no must even venture how far this staff can go,” added Berhalter, who has an intimate information of Dutch soccer. The 49-year-old performed within the Dutch league for 3 totally different golf equipment between 1996 and 2000.
For the Netherlands, the important thing might be to get Memphis Depay flying in assault and Frenkie de Jong on the ball in midfield.
Van Gaal has described them each as indispensable to the Dutch trigger.
Winner to satisfy Argentina or Australia
Depay says he's over his hamstring damage, having made two substitute appearances and began their final group sport.
“I've drawn a line beneath the questions on health,” he informed reporters.
“I’m match. The knockout part is severe enterprise. We're previous the group part, we will no longer afford to slide into it. Many individuals thought it could be a chunk of cake, however it's at all times a bit totally different.”
Van Gaal, 71, was eager to not underestimate the opposition.
“I do know from expertise that matches in opposition to nations reminiscent of the US and Australia, who we encountered on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, are at all times very tough,” he stated. “They're very fanatical and sharp on the ball.”
The winner of the match will advance to a quarter-final assembly with both Argentina or Australia on December 9.
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