The Netherlands and the United States, which recovers its star Christian Pulisic, will open this Saturday (12:00) the round of 16 of Qatar-2022 in an attractive duel between two teams claimed after their absences in the last World Cup.
Both the Dutch squad, first of the group A with 7 points, like the North American, second in B with 5, they arrive unbeaten at the clash at the Khalifa stadium in Doha.
The ‘Orange’, in the third stage of louis van gaal as DT, he only gave up a draw against Ecuador and he fulfilled his impeccable service record in the group stage, although his football has not lived up to the demanding expectations in his country.
“We are going to calmly continue on the path we have started,” said the former Barcelona and Manchester United coach.
countries Lowwho continues to chase a coronation in the maximum tournament, has extreme reliability in the first phase without any deletion in his 12 participations.
Also read: Van Gaal: “We want to be world champions”
Its emblematic extreme game He lost prominence in the reinvention of Van Gaal, now trusting the strength of the defense led by Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool).
The 71-year-old made up for a lack of the attacking talent of yesteryear with the appearance of Cody Gakpo who, at the age of 23, proved to be ready for the jump to a league of the European elite.
The tip of the PSV Eindhoven adds three goals and is part of the quintet of top gunners in the World Cup.
Van Gaal also hopes to improve his attacking production in the qualifiers with the recovery of Memphis DePaywho already started in the last win against Qatar (2-0) after his thigh injury.
in midfield Frenkie de Jong he is responding to the total confidence of Van Gaal, which he does not have in Xavi Hernández’s Barcelona, and he was named the best player (MVP) of the three games.
– The night of Dest –
USAFor its part, it comes from suffering until the last minute to beat Iran (1-0) and ensure the minimum objective of reaching the knockout stage.
reach the quarters for the first time since 2002 it would be a great boost for ‘Team USA’, which needs its team, the second youngest in Qatar, to accumulate experience for the World Cup that it will co-organize in 2026.
His great figure Christian Pulisiche scored the decisive goal against Iran but in the same action he suffered a strong collision with the goalkeeper that caused him a pelvic contusion.
It may interest you: The United States defeats Iran and advances to the round of 16 in Qatar-2022
This Friday, the selector Gregg Berhalter said that Pulisic was recovering favorably and the American federation confirmed on Twitter that the Chelsea striker “got the go-ahead” to play on Saturday.
The duel will have a special significance for the side Sergiño Destwho is revaluing himself with great performances in Qatar after his departure from Barcelona and his little activity at AC Milan.
Dest, 22, was born in Almere, the Netherlands, to a Dutch mother and an American father. The full-back grew up in the European country, forming in the Ajax youth system, but the United States advanced by calling him up to their youth teams at a very young age and managed to get him to finally opt to play for ‘Team USA’.
“For me it was about connecting with him, describing what role we had in mind for him and our plans for the next eight years,” Berhalter said of Dest’s integration process. “Then we introduced him to our teammates and he entered the atmosphere of our team, which is very welcoming. I think that was what helped him make up his mind.”
