The winner of Saturday’s match will advance to a quarter-final assembly with both Argentina or Australia.
Who: Netherlands vs USA
The place: Khalifa Worldwide Stadium
When: December 3, 6pm (15:00 GMT)
FIFA rating: Netherlands (8), USA (16)
The primary match of the World Cup’s knockout part will pit the Netherlands in opposition to the USA on the Khalifa Worldwide Stadium on Saturday, with the European aspect searching for to affirm their credentials as severe challengers in Qatar.
There was a lot discuss – principally from the Dutch camp – of the group’s potential to go all the way in which within the match.
Louis van Gaal’s aspect topped Group A, choosing up seven factors with 2-0 wins over Senegal and Qatar to go alongside a 1-1 draw in opposition to Ecuador.
However regardless of going unbeaten, the Netherlands’ three performances up to now left a lot to be desired with a lot of key gamers but to completely fireplace and the aspect closely reliant on targets from the in-form Cody Gakpo.
That may supply hope to the Individuals, who would be the underdogs however have already provided up some proof of their very own potential in an unbeaten run in Group B which noticed them safe 0-0 and 1-1 attracts in opposition to England and Wales respectively and a gritty 1-0 win over Iran to make sure their progress.
USA sweat on Pulisic health
Whereas the USA sweat on the health of star participant Christian Pulisic – he has a pelvic damage and is being assessed every day – coach Gregg Berhalter stated his group would don’t have any inferiority advanced.
“It’s a fantastic alternative, but it surely’s not one thing that we’re going into it considering is an honour,” Berhalter stated. “We should be within the place we’re in. And we wish to hold going. We don’t wish to be going residence on Saturday.
“And from right here something can occur. All we have to do is play one sport at a time. There’s no have to even venture how far this group can go,” added Berhalter, who has an intimate data of Dutch soccer. The 49-year-old performed within the Dutch league for 3 completely different golf equipment between 1996 and 2000.
For the Netherlands, the important thing will likely be to get Memphis Depay flying in assault and Frenkie de Jong on the ball in midfield.
Van Gaal has described them each as indispensable to the Dutch trigger.
Winner to fulfill Argentina or Australia
Depay says he’s over his hamstring damage, having made two substitute appearances and began their final group sport.
“I’ve drawn a line below the questions on health,” he advised reporters.
“I’m match. The knockout part is severe enterprise. We’re previous the group part, we are able to no longer afford to slide into it. Many individuals thought it could be a bit of cake, however it’s at all times a bit completely different.”
Van Gaal, 71, was eager to not underestimate the opposition.
“I do know from expertise that matches in opposition to international locations similar to the US and Australia, who we encountered on the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, are at all times very troublesome,” he stated. “They’re very fanatical and sharp on the ball.”
The winner of the match will advance to a quarter-final assembly with both Argentina or Australia on December 9.