This text is a part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2022 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between a number of the greatest media organisations from the 32 nations who certified. theguardian.com is operating previews from two nations every day within the run-up to the match kicking off on 20 November.
The plan
The Netherlands come into the World Cup on a little bit of a excessive having certified for the Nations League finals, to be performed on residence turf, subsequent 12 months. They received their group after a 1-0 victory over Belgium courtesy of a Virgil van Dijk header and look to have settled on a 5-3-2 system that has labored fairly properly in latest months.
The brand new system was launched in March. Nicely, it’s not completely new as that was the system Louis van Gaal additionally performed with when the Oranje reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup and beat hosts Brazil 3-0 within the third-place playoff.
Similar to eight years in the past the change of formation away from the quintessential Dutch 4-3-3 has provoked criticism. Van Dijk, who’s captain, stated brazenly that he didn’t just like the change to 5-3-2 however added: “The nationwide coach doesn’t [agree] and he has a really robust opinion about it. And you’ll see it’s not completely unjustified.”
Van Gaal himself has been an ardent supporter of the 4-3-3 philosophy that has formed the Dutch faculty of soccer however it’s by no means too late to study one thing new. “The longer I’ve been a coach the extra I’ve realized to like the 5-3-2 system,” the 71-year-old stated not too long ago. “You possibly can assault with it and you may defend with it. You possibly can put the opponent below stress in all places and, for those who play it properly, there may be much less danger of the opponent breaking by on the counterattack as a result of you will have three central defenders.”
Van Gaal now feels it outweighs having three attackers. “I felt that in a 4-3-3 system it was greatest to type triangles in all places, however again then I didn’t have the flexibility to see some great benefits of that different system. Within the 5-3-2 system the stability within the crew is best and it might probably be completed with a 3-4-3 too.”
Squad-wise the Netherlands go into the World Cup in first rate form however are weak to accidents to their essential inventive gamers, akin to Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay who’ve each had muscle issues this season. Van Gaal usually prefers to pick gamers who’re absolutely match match however will make an exception for that pair. The squad will not be as deep because it may very well be, which can develop into an issue if the Netherlands go far in Qatar.
The coach
Louis van Gaal has the prospect to develop into the coach with probably the most wins for the Dutch nationwide crew. In the intervening time he’s tied with Dick Advocaat on 37, though Advocaat took 4 video games extra to achieve that quantity. Earlier this 12 months Van Gaal revealed that he has had an aggressive type of prostate most cancers since 2020. He defined how he had been sneaking away from the Dutch coaching camps to have radiotherapy. He additionally stated he felt properly sufficient to take the crew to the World Cup and that the gamers give him vitality.
Star participant
Three gamers have legitimate claims for this nomination however Virgil van Dijk edges it, partly as a result of he’s the captain but in addition due to his efficiency in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and Erling Haaland in October, when he tamed the highly effective Norwegian. The Oranje used to have world-class strikers however nowadays it’s the defence that makes the distinction and Van Dijk is an exemplary captain and an inspiration. He additionally has a knack of scoring essential objectives for the nationwide crew.
Unsung hero
For Cody Gakpo the World Cup is an opportunity to point out the broader world what he’s able to and earn a switch to a prime European membership. There have been rumours he was about to go away PSV Eindhoven in the summertime however in the long run he stayed. The winger has all the time had the expertise however now he has added consistency to his sport and is recurrently a match-winner for his membership. For the Netherlands he has three objectives in 9 caps getting in to the World Cup. What is going to these figures be on the finish of the match?
Possible lineup
Qatar stance
Earlier than a sport in opposition to Latvia in March final 12 months the gamers warmed up in shorts bearing the textual content “Soccer helps change”. The captain’s armband had the identical message on it, the gamers desirous to make an announcement in opposition to Qatar’s human rights report. The squad and Van Gaal are united of their considering, with the coach having spoken out in opposition to the World Cup being held in Qatar. “Everybody is aware of that I believe it’s ridiculous that the video games will probably be performed there,” he stated as soon as and has repeated that sentiment since. Final 12 months the Dutch authorities stated it could not ship a delegation to Qatar however a change of energy could imply a couple of politicians and King Willem Alexander journey. The considering appears to be that gasoline provides from Qatar could also be too essential to antagonise the World Cup hosts.
Nationwide anthem
Wilhelmus is without doubt one of the oldest nationwide anthems on the earth, written round 1570 originally of the Eighty Years’ Struggle. The lyrics are written within the phrases of William of Orange and had been used within the battle in opposition to the Spanish king. It’s not identified who wrote the lyrics however, having fallen out of the nationwide consciousness for a couple of hundred years, it was rediscovered and, in 1932, made the nationwide anthem. It grew to become very talked-about throughout the second world battle. The music consists of 15 verses and the primary letters of every of these type the identify William of Nassau. The anthem is in style amongst Oranje followers, though often solely the primary verse is sung.
All-time cult hero
Johan Cruyff is the good hero of Dutch soccer. In 1974 he led the Oranje to the World Cup ultimate. 4 years later they repeated the trick however Cruyff had refused to journey to Argentina. It was not only a political assertion, he had been stung by the “swimming pool scandal” from the 1974 match in West Germany. A real legend, the Cruyff basis implies that his identify lives on, organising soccer pitches in residential areas so that everybody can have the chance to play. Its work has carried on since Cruyff’s dying in 2016.
Wilber Hack writes for De Telegraaf.
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