World Cup: Netherlands boss van Gaal bristles at critics after topping group
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One reporter after another criticised the Netherlands’ performance against a lowly Qatar, angering coach Louis Van Gaal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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AL KHOR – Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal locked horns with Dutch journalists after they said the Oranje’s 2-0 World Cup win over Qatar on Tuesday was too dull, even if it secured them the top spot in Group A.
“We got into the next phase – the most important part of the tournament – with positivity.
“We did what we needed to do. We are the group winner,” the 71-year-old insisted at his press conference after the match.
As one reporter after another criticised the Netherlands’ performance against a lowly Qatar – playing in their first World Cup only by virtue of being the tournament hosts – the former Manchester United and Barcelona manager hit back.
“Well that’s disappointing, but I don’t agree with you,” van Gaal said.
“I think everyone would be rather proud to advance to the next round. I think things are not as bad as you say they are.”
In Qatar, his team have done the necessary but not much more.
They have won two group games, including against Senegal, without impressing and drew in between in a physical battle with Ecuador in which they were harried off the ball and looked uncomfortable, yet still got a vital point.
The Dutch were able to amble through their last group game, with Tuesday’s victory over hosts Qatar again revealing little about their potential.
Qatar suffered their third and final defeat of the tournament – they are only the second World Cup hosts to fail to make it out of the group stage, following South Africa in 2010.
Cody Gakpo scored his third goal in as many games with a low drive in the first half and Frenkie de Jong tapped in from close range shortly after the break.
Van Gaal said Gakpo, who plays his club football for PSV Eindhoven, had the potential to be a “really great player” and was learning to play in a more central attacking role than his initial preference on the left.
The 23-year-old is rumoured to be a transfer target in January for many major European clubs, including English Premier League giants United and Liverpool.
The Dutch will next face Group B runners-up the United States on Saturday in the round of 16.
Mohammed Muntari of Qatar (on the ground) in action against Teun Koopmeiners of the Netherlands.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Senegal also made it out of Group A after they finished second with a 2-1 win over Ecuador. They will face Group B winners England on Sunday.
Captain Kalidou Koulibaly said he never gave up hope of reaching the knockout stages when star striker Sadio Mane was ruled out, even if most of the world doubted them.
The Chelsea defender’s second-half goal was the difference as Senegal booked a spot in the last 16 for only the second time.
Koulibaly was named Man of the Match and dedicated the win to Mane, who was forced out of the tournament with a knee injury picked up with his club Bayern Munich.
“When it came to his injury, I think two thirds of the world probably doubted we would be able to qualify,” he said.
“The only ones who thought we could still qualify were the African people and the Senegalese people.
“Yes, Sadio is a star – he is a symbol of the Senegalese football team – but there are 11 players on a football field.”
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse also said during the week that Mane was “here with us” and regularly contacted several members of the squad to offer his support.
REUTERS, AFP
