Xinhua News Agency, Tokyo, November 2 (Reporter Wang Zijiang) Since winning the third place in the Brazil World Cup eight years ago, the old coach van Gaal and the Netherlands have experienced too many ups and downs, which has also added some tragic color to the " Orange Clothes Army " Qatar World Cup journey.
On June 8, 2022, Dutch team head coach Van Gaal (left) and assistant Edgar Davis watched the game on the sidelines. Xinhua News Agency /French
The Dutch team missed the 2018 Russian World Cup finals, and then stopped at the top 16 in the European Championship last year. Since van Gaal was dismissed from the world football field in , Manchester United in a nearly humiliating manner in 2016. Last year, Van Gaal was appointed to take charge of the Dutch team coach for the third time at the age of 70. As a result, he first fell down and broke his bones on his bike, and then got infected with new crown . Then he revealed that he had prostate cancer , which made Dutch fans all over the world sympathize with his experience, and was also extremely worried about the team's prospects.
However, Van Gaal and his disciples overcome all these difficulties. When Van Gaal took office, the Netherlands ranked second in Group G of the World Cup European Qualifiers. In the end, the team qualified as the first in the group and was once again qualified to participate in the World Cup finals after eight years. Since
regained the coaching position of the Netherlands, Van Gaal has led the Netherlands to 15 unbeaten records in various competitions, including defeating Belgium twice in European National League and entering the semi-finals. People have reason to expect that the old coach can lead the "uncrowned king" who has reached the World Cup final three times, causing an "orange storm" in Qatar.
Compared to the same group as the Spanish team eight years ago, Van Gaal believes that the team's draw results are much better this time. As the second team, the Dutch team participated in the lottery, they were lucky enough to avoid the top teams in the first team and were separated from the hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Senegal in Group A. As a hotline qualifying team, they will first face the strong African champion Senegal in the group. Whether the world-class defense line led by Dutch captain van Dijk can "lock" the former club teammate Mane is a major highlight of the game. If the first game can be successfully passed, the Dutch team will have great hope of advancing to the top 16.
On June 3, 2022, Dutch player Van Dijk (left) and Belgian player de Bruyne greeted after the European League match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong
Van Gaal released a preliminary list of 39 players last month, and the list is full of stars. In the next 10 days, he must rack his brains to "cut off" 13 people and take 26 people to Qatar. However, unlike the "uncrowned king" with gorgeous offensives in traditional cognition, the Dutch team under Van Gaal showed obvious characteristics of "defense is stronger than attack". On the back line of
, it can be said that the Dutch team has the most sufficient staffing among the top 32. , known as the "world's No. 1 central defender", Liverpool player Van Dijk missed last year's European Championship due to injury. He is already ready to fight this World Cup. Bayern Munich de Ligt , Manchester City Ak , Manchester United's Marasia, Inter Milan's "two heroes" Dumfries and De Frey can all take on major responsibilities. In addition, the Ajax young player Tinbel, who rejected Manchester United's invitation, is also worth looking forward to. Faced with the troubles of happiness, Van Gaal carefully created a defensive system of "three central defenders" and "two wing guards" to maximize the use of the team's advantages.
On June 14, 2022, Dutch player De Ligt (right) competed for the top in the UEFA Nations League match. Photo by Zheng Huansong, Xinhua News Agency reporter,
, among the midfielders, Bayern , Heraffenberg, almost certainly started, Serie A , Atlanta's Dejongen , also had excellent performance this season. Perhaps what worries Van Gaal is that the Dutch team's offensive core Depp has been in Barcelona's substitute this season and is not in good shape. But Depp is still Van Gaal's first choice, and his partner is likely to be Berwin, who has just transferred from Premier League Tottenham to Ajax.
On June 11, 2022, Dutch player Depp took the penalty kick in the UEFA Nations League match. Xinhua News Agency reporter Zheng Huansong Photo by
goalkeeper may be the weakest link in Van Gaal's army. Van Gaal may hand over the No. 1 jersey to Cialisen who participated in the Brazil World Cup or Ajax veteran Pasville, but the two of them are not in good shape recently. Another alternative for the old coach is Bundesliga Freiburg's Fleken . In order to improve the team's fault tolerance rate, Van Gaal, who is good at playing tricks at the goalkeeper's position, has made it clear that he will consider bringing four goalkeepers to Qatar.
On June 29, 2014, Netherlands goalkeeper Cilesen (Part 1) saved Mexican player Dos Santos 's shot in the Brazil World Cup. Xinhua News Agency/European and New Chinese
In 2000, Van Gaal coached the Netherlands for the first time and failed to qualify for the finals of the Japan and South Korea World Cup. More than 20 years have passed, the 71-year-old famous coach has experienced too many vicissitudes and honors and disgraces both inside and outside the stadium. This could be the last game of his career as it has been confirmed to give way to Koeman after the World Cup.
Van Gaal said: "I have experienced so many things in my life, including diseases and deaths, and because of these experiences, I have become richer as a person." This is the case with cancer, let alone a World Cup journey.
