Van Gaal drops continuity hint while De Jong asks for more creativity
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong said he and his companions need to improve in attack after a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in their last outing.
Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal has dropped a hint that he may be prepared to carry on as coach after the World Cup finals.
The 71-year-old, who earlier this year won a battle against cancer, had previously said that he would step down after the tournament, but speaking to the press ahead of Tuesday’s match against Qatar, the veteran hinted he could have had a change of heart.
“My successor has already been chosen, and I will be here to give my support to Dutch football and give my gratitude for having given me this chance. If football in the Netherlands hadn’t existed, I would not be here now.”
“However, if we are world champions, and the world of football is very opportunistic and so, you never know,” he said, when again asked about his future.
With four points from two games, the Netherlands have just about booked their place in the last-16, but have not yet assured they will finish top of Group A.
Midfielder Frenkie de Jong said he and his companions need to improve in attack after a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in their last outing.
“We weren’t good enough with the ball or in creating play. We didn’t find the spaces or our unmarked players. We had solutions, but we made too many technical errors,” said the Barcelona midfielder, who promised answers against Qatar.
“All of us have spoken about what we want to do and how we can improve after the Ecuador game and we are confident.”
“Defensively we are doing well, we have a good team and we have shown that plenty of times. Tomorrow we will focus on the game and topping our group,” promised De Jong.
