DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Netherlands is on the verge of reaching the knockout stage on the World Cup and an amazing favourite in its closing Group A match on Tuesday in opposition to host nation Qatar.If the Dutch advance it should put extra concentrate on 71-year-old coach Louis van Gaal, who stepped out of retirement simply over a yr in the past to take over the nationwide group whereas being handled for aggressive prostate most cancers.Host nation Qatar has misplaced its first two matches and already missed its probability to maneuver on from the group stage.For the Netherlands a draw will suffice to advance and put the Netherlands into rivalry once more in a World Cup after failing to qualify 4 years in the past. The Dutch may even get by way of with a loss if Ecuador beats Senegal within the different Group A match.Within the spherical of 16, the Netherlands would face one of many high two groups from Group B, the place England is the favourite with Iran, Wales, and america scrambling for a spot.Van Gaal mentioned earlier than the World Cup that the Netherlands can win all of it, though few see this as one of many nation’s greatest groups.No highly effective soccer nation has come up brief on the World Cup as usually because the Dutch, who’ve been the runners-up thrice: in 1974 in opposition to West Germany, in 1978 dealing with Argentina, and in 2010 vs. Spain.The Dutch additionally completed third within the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after dropping a shootout in opposition to Argentina within the semifinals.After being out of the sport for a number of years, Van Gaal got here out of retirement and changed Frank de Boer in August of 2021. He mentioned he did it out of responsibility.“As a result of, merely, nobody else was out there at the moment,” Van Gaal mentioned.Van Gaal’s matter-of-fact braveness needs to be a motivator for the Dutch. However he may also fire up Qatar.Earlier this yr the outspoken Van Gaal mentioned it was “ridiculous” holding the World Cup in Qatar, a tiny nation of three million. Qatar’s huge wealth is fueled by pure gasoline and oil.“It’s ridiculous that we’re going to play in a rustic to — what does FIFA say? —- to develop soccer there,” Van Gaal mentioned, including that Qatar is simply too small and lacks a soccer tradition.“Nevertheless it doesn’t matter. It’s about cash, business pursuits. That’s what issues to FIFA,” Van Gaal added.___
Netherlands underneath Van Gaal on cusp of advancing at World Cup
