Netherlands vs USA: Oranje happy to keep winning without playing well
The Netherlands would like to start playing well, but beating USA and reaching a World Cup quarter-final is their main objective.
It has been a disappointing tournament so far for the Oranje, although they have still advanced to the top of Group A with two wins and one draw from three matches.
Coach Louis van Gaal has told the media to go home if football is 'so terribly boring', but there's no doubt it's effective.
Apart from penalties, Van Gaal is unbeaten in his 10 World Cup appearances as a manager. Only Felipe Scolari (12) and Mario Zagallo (11) had longer unbeaten streaks to start their careers in the final.
The coach seems to have his players on board, as Marten de Roon said: "We're looking, that's for sure. We hope it gets better, we all hope so.
"But the first objective is to advance to the next round. We are not deliberately playing badly here. Maybe one of you has the solution?
"Of course, we would rather play against everyone and win 5-0 every time and become world champions, but it's not that easy. Winning matters on Saturday, but how we do it matters less. Even if necessary by shots on goal.
"I don't mind becoming world champion without having played a good game. The good thing is that we didn't lose. It can also give us the confidence that he can only improve . »
The Dutch have reached at least the quarter-finals in four of their last five World Cup appearances, going out in the round of 16 in 2006.
Meanwhile, USA have lost three of their last four games of the last 16, only winning in 2002 against Mexico.
They have won just one of five meetings with the Netherlands - all in friendlies - although that win came in their last such encounter in 2015.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands – Cody Gakpo
All talk before the tournament revolved around Memphis striker Depay, but the Netherlands have a new star. Gakpo led Oranje 1-0 in all three group matches, with David Villa in 2010 being the last player to open the scoring in four games at a single World Cup.
United States – Christian Pulisic
Pulisic expects to be fit for this game despite his injury against Iran, and his return will be welcome. The winger has scored twice as many goals (22) for the USMNT as any other player in Gregg Berhalter's team.
PREDICTION
The Netherlands may not be playing well, but the supercomputer expects their winning habit to continue. They are 51.9% favorites for this one.
USA have a 22.0% chance, while a draw resulting in penalties has a 26.1% chance.
The Netherlands would like to start playing well, but beating USA and reaching a World Cup quarter-final is their main objective.
It has been a disappointing tournament so far for the Oranje, although they have still advanced to the top of Group A with two wins and one draw from three matches.
Coach Louis van Gaal has told the media to go home if football is 'so terribly boring', but there's no doubt it's effective.
Apart from penalties, Van Gaal is unbeaten in his 10 World Cup appearances as a manager. Only Felipe Scolari (12) and Mario Zagallo (11) had longer unbeaten streaks to start their careers in the final.
The coach seems to have his players on board, as Marten de Roon said: "We're looking, that's for sure. We hope it gets better, we all hope so.
"But the first objective is to advance to the next round. We are not deliberately playing badly here. Maybe one of you has the solution?
"Of course, we would rather play against everyone and win 5-0 every time and become world champions, but it's not that easy. Winning matters on Saturday, but how we do it matters less. Even if necessary by shots on goal.
"I don't mind becoming world champion without having played a good game. The good thing is that we didn't lose. It can also give us the confidence that he can only improve . »
The Dutch have reached at least the quarter-finals in four of their last five World Cup appearances, going out in the round of 16 in 2006.
Meanwhile, USA have lost three of their last four games of the last 16, only winning in 2002 against Mexico.
They have won just one of five meetings with the Netherlands - all in friendlies - although that win came in their last such encounter in 2015.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Netherlands – Cody Gakpo
All talk before the tournament revolved around Memphis striker Depay, but the Netherlands have a new star. Gakpo led Oranje 1-0 in all three group matches, with David Villa in 2010 being the last player to open the scoring in four games at a single World Cup.
United States – Christian Pulisic
Pulisic expects to be fit for this game despite his injury against Iran, and his return will be welcome. The winger has scored twice as many goals (22) for the USMNT as any other player in Gregg Berhalter's team.
PREDICTION
The Netherlands may not be playing well, but the supercomputer expects their winning habit to continue. They are 51.9% favorites for this one.
USA have a 22.0% chance, while a draw resulting in penalties has a 26.1% chance.
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