JAKARTA - The Dutch national team will face the United States in the last 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Saturday, December 3, tonight. On paper, De Oranje is clearly superior to the Uncle Sam's country team.
However, the Netherlands will not underestimate America when the two meet at the Khalifa International Stadium. The Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal, is well aware of the threats America can pose.
"The US has shown itself that they have an extraordinary team. I even call it one of the best teams, a team that is well designed (but) is not something we cannot overcome," Van Gaal told a news conference ahead of the match.
"The US is a very energetic squad, has a physically strong and tough player against any opponent, but we will do everything we can to win and beat the US," he continued.
The Netherlands qualified after winning Group A under Senegal who both represented this group to the round of 16.
But so far the performance of van Gaal's side has not been so impressive, except for striker totaling Gakpo who always scored in the last three group stage matches.
Now Gakpo has a chance of getting even sharper after van Gaal indicated playing striker Memphis Depay since kickoff.
Depay, who scored 12 goals during World Cup qualifiers, said injury problems had become news of the past, and is now ready to be paired with Steven Bergwijn and Gakpo in the front row as playmakers.
Meanwhile, US coach Gregg Berhalter admits he will take advantage of his experience playing and training in the Netherlands.
The former US national team player has indeed played for Dutch clubs PEC Zwolle and Sparta Rotterdam and Cambuur Leeuwarden for 18 years as football players.
"If I wasn't in the Netherlands, I don't think I would have a background that really helped me develop my thoughts," Berhalter said.
Berhalter jelas ingin AS merasakan kembali atmosphere perempatan final Piala Dunia setelah terakhir kali dirasakan tim ini pada edisi 2002.
The US was indeed in the underdog position in the match against the World Cup finalists three, but Berhalter was happy to face the Netherlands who in general did not perform too well during the group stage.
Berhalter is not the only Dutch learner in the American camp because there is still Sergino Dest who was even born and raised from a Dutch mother and Suriname-American father in the Netherlands.
Dest is currently a Barcelona player and is currently on loan to AC Milan. He became one of the most relied players in the Qatari edition of the World Cup tournament.
The winner of this match will advance against Argentina or Australia in the quarter-finals of December 9.
It is certain that both teams fielded their core teams in this round. They will go straight out to attack and prove themselves who is more productive and in a higher class.
Namun jika lima pertemuan sebelumnya menjadi ukuran, maka dengan empat kemenangan, Belanda masih superior dibandingkan dengan Amerika Serikat.
It was also seen from how they reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup. The Netherlands penetrated this round with the status of winners of Group A, while the US achieved it after holding second place in Group B.
The Netherlands is also superior in terms of goal productivity which during the group stage scored five goals and conceded one time, while the US scored two goals and conceded one goal.
In the three group stage matches, the Dutch may not often test the goalkeepers against Orange, but the sharpness of
With the defense escorted by three centre-backs including the successful pillars of Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk, and Manchester City defender Nathan Ake, the Netherlands have also proven tough in guarding the goal and its defense area.
This will be a tough challenge for the United States, which only double broke into the opponent's goal during the group stage, let alone reportedly one part of their trident, Christian Pulisic, is not very fit.
But the Netherlands also found Jeremie Frimpong injured her ankle on Wednesday before returning to full training the next day.
Fortunately, Denzel Dumfries will continue to fill the right wing of the defense in the 3-4-3 formation.
What van Gaal also noticed was that the situation between Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake had already received a yellow card so that if he got it again in this match he could potentially miss the quarter-finals that could bury the Dutch dream.
But in general Orange will field its strongest team including Gakpo who is trying to become the first Dutch player to score in four consecutive World Cup games.
Gakpo will be a constant threat and terror for the United States, especially now that he has been accompanied by Memphis Depay since the first minute.
The United States itself continues to monitor the development of Chrisitan Pulisic, who suffered pelvic bruises when he scored a winning goal against Iran.
The Chelsea striker himself insists he is fine and ready to be played to be a decisive factor in the match against the Netherlands.
Coach Gregg Berhalter also has the potential to lose Joshgant due to an ankle injury. Likewise Weston McKennie.
Padahal keduanya adalah bagian penting dalam skema serangan Amerika Serikat yang akan memasang formation 4-3-3 untuk membongkar pertahanan solid Belanda
But the same as the Netherlands, Berhalter definitely maintains the same starting eleven as the previous matches, including their new defensive line conceding one goal which is otherwise a big challenge for the duo of Gakpo and Depay.
Prior to this match, the two countries had met five times, four of which the Dutch won. But the last meeting between them in 2015 was won by the United States 4-3.
The Netherlands was runners-up in the World Cup three times in 1974, 1978, and 2010.
The Netherlands reached the last 16 after finishing at the top of Group A after beating Africa Cup of Senegal 2-0, host Qatar 2-0 and drew 1-1 against Ecuador.
The United States reached the knockout round after becoming runners up in Group B under England after beating Iran, and drawing both against England and Wales.
The Netherlands have unbeaten in their last 18 matches after being knocked out at Euro 2020.
home Gakpo scored three goals in the previous three Dutch games at the 2022 World Cup.
The United States has again competed in the World Cup finals after failing to qualify for the Russian World Cup in 2018.
Defender DeAndre Yedlin is the only player in the United States squad to have experience appearing in the World Cup.
Predictions of the Dutch line-up vs the United States:
Netherlands (3-4-3): Andries Noppert; Jurrien Timber, Virggil van Dijk, Nathan Ake; Denzel Dumfries, Marten de Roon, Frenkie de Jong, Daley Blind; Davy Klaassen;
Amerika Serikat (4-3-3-): Matt Turner; Sergino Dest, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah; Timothy Weah, Joshbort, Christian Pulisic
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