Netherlands keeper Andries Noppert will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina subsequent on the World Cup and is feeling assured if the sport goes to penalties.
- Netherlands to face Argentina
- Noppert prepared for Messi
- Keeper assured about penalties
WHAT HAPPENED? Dutch coach Louis van Gaal raised just a few eyebrows by making Andries Noppert his first-choice goalkeeper for the World Cup, however the 6ft 8in Heerenveen stopper has performed a key position within the staff’s run to the quarter-finals. Two-time winners Argentina are up subsequent, however Noppert, who solely made his worldwide debut within the Netherlands’ World Cup opener towards Senegal, will not be fazed in regards to the prospect of taking up a ahead thought-about by many to be the best ever to play the sport.
WHAT THEY SAID: Quizzed on the prospect of a penalty shootout battle towards Messi, Noppert informed reporters: “I’m at all times prepared for that, and he can even miss, we noticed it firstly of this event, so he’s the identical like us – a human. For positive he’s good, however for positive I can catch the penalties.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Messi has been in good kind on the World Cup already, scoring three targets thus far for Lionel Scaloni’s aspect. He netted a penalty in Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia however did additionally miss from 12 yards towards Poland within the group levels. Saturday’s sport will go to penalties if the competition is degree after regular and further time.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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DID YOU KNOW? Netherlands have misplaced simply one in all their 9 conferences with Argentina in all competitions (W4 D4), with that loss coming within the 1978 World Cup last. Nonetheless, the newest of these 4 attracts did end in a penalty shootout defeat, within the final assembly between the edges within the 2014 World Cup semi-final.
WHAT NEXT? The Netherlands face Argentina on Saturday in Qatar. The winners of the match will tackle both Croatia or Brazil within the World Cup semi-finals.