FIFA World Cup 2022: Round of 16 matchup between the Netherlands and the United States
FIFA World Cup 2022: Here is everything you need to know before the Netherlands vs USA matchup at the Khalifa International Stadium during the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2022.
To fulfil its own prophecy at the World Cup, the Netherlands must finally deliver after much posturing, beginning with their first match of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.
There has been a lot of chatter about the Dutch team’s potential to win the Qatar tournament, all coming from the Dutch camp. This discourse has mainly come from senior coach Louis van Gaal, who enjoys a little mental coaxing and sparring.
Netherlands: Denzel Dumfries, Marten de Roon, Frenkie de Jong, Daley Blind, Andries Noppert, Jurrien Timber, Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Davy Klaassen, Memphis Depay, and Cody Gakpo.
United States: Matt Turner, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Christian Pulisic, Josh Sargent, and Timothy Weah.
Although it won its first-round group, it struggled against Senegal, Ecuador, and the Qatari hosts, providing little support for their arrogance.
That will give the Americans optimism since, despite being underdogs in their match in the round of 16, they have already demonstrated some of their potential by being undefeated in Group B, drawing with England and Wales and defeating Iran with a spirited victory.
At the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday, USA coach Gregg Berhalter promised that his players would not harbour any sense of inferiority.
Although it’s a fantastic chance, Berhalter added, “we are not approaching it with the mindset that it is an honour.”
“The situation we’re in is one that we deserve. And we wish to continue. On Saturday, we don’t want to go for home.
“And anything might happen from here. Playing one game at a time is all that is necessary. There’s no need to even predict how far this squad can advance, continued Berhalter, who is well-versed in Dutch soccer. Between 1996 and 2000, the 49-year-old played in the Dutch league for three different teams.
INDISPENSABLE
It will be crucial for the Netherlands to have Memphis Depay on fire in attack and more influence from Frenkie de Jong in the centre. They have yet to demonstrate why Van Gaal believes they are both crucial to the Dutch cause.
Depay, who started their last group game and made two replacement appearances, claims his hamstring issue is healed.
He told reporters, “I have placed a line under the doubts regarding fitness.
“I’m fit. The knockout round is a crucial stage. Since the group phase is over, we can no longer afford to revert to it. Many people believed it would be simple, but things often turn out differently.
Van Gaal, 71, was anxious to avoid underestimating the opposition.
According to his own experience, games against nations like the United States and Australia—whom we played against at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil—are usually quite challenging.
They are incredibly devoted and astute.
The victor of the game will face either Argentina or Australia in the quarterfinals on Dec. 9.