Izuchukwu OkosiWith barely a week to the big kick off of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Prime Business Africa presents profiles of the teams heading to the 32nd edition of the tournament.
The Netherlands missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia after reaching the final in 2010 but are one of the favorites to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup in Qatar with a crop of good players expected to avoid another ‘nearly’ experience.
These teams profiles were vastly sourced from FIFA’s official website
Netherlands
Historically thought of as a part of the FIFA World Cup™ furniture, the Dutch found themselves on the outside looking in during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.
But the band is back together for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™led by Louis van Gaal, the same man who guided the Oranje to a third-placed finish at Brazil 2014.
While there will be a handful of returning characters from that memorable run, Van Gaal’s squad will be made of largely of players who have never experienced a World Cup before.
Led by a strong foundation based around centre-back Virgil Van Dijk and playmaker Frenkie De Jong, the Dutch topped their qualification group and only lost one game in ten, fending off the likes of Turkey and Norway.
Van Gaal’s side will be heading to Qatar 2022 as one of the in-form teams following a six-match unbeaten run in the UEFA Nations League this year, which included doubles over Belgium and Wales. The last time the Dutch experienced defeat was all the way back on 27 June 2021, when Czech Republic ousted them in the round of 16 at UEFA EURO 2020.
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Netherlands’ Group A fixtures
21 November
Senegal vs Netherlands (19:00 local time, Al Thumama Stadium)
25 November
Netherlands vs Ecuador (19:00 local time, Khalifa International Stadium)
29 November
Netherlands vs Qatar (18:00 local time, Al Bayt Stadium)
Van Gaal’s approach and tactics
Van Gaal has been coaching at the top level for three decades. Direct and largely unsentimental, he’s known for creating defensively and tactically-sound teams, and historically setting up in an attack-minded 4-3-3 system. In recent games, however, he’s opted for three at the back – the system he deployed to great effect in 2014 – in a 3-4-1-2.
The Dutch FA called on him in August 2021 to take over from Frank de Boer and lead his country for a third time following an early EURO exit. They view the seasoned tactician as a reliable presence who has a history of proven success and so far they’ve been vindicated in that decision given the Oranje’s unbeaten run since that EURO disappointment.
The 71-year-old, who announced in the spring of this year that he is receiving treatment for prostate cancer, will be one of the most experienced coaches at Qatar 2022.
The Dutch have amassed ten World Cup appearances, their most recent coming at Brazil 2014 and have progressed out of the group stage on each occasion.
It is for good reason that they are seen as the nearly men of the World Cup. The Netherlands have the unwanted record, after all, of playing in most finals without lifting the trophy. The Dutch fell at the final hurdle in 1974, 1978 and 2010 against West Germany, Argentina and Spain respectively.
Key player: Frenkie de Jong
In De Jong, the Dutch have one of the most elegant midfielders in the game.
One of the 25-year-old’s great qualities is his decision-making ability. Often the first player to receive the ball from the defence, De Jong will then link play to the attack effectively, either by progressing the ball forward himself or making a pass from a range of distances.
The Ajax-produced generational talent disorganises defences with his ability to carry the ball over long distances and beat defenders one-on-one.
If De Jong is his best energetic self in Qatar, that will go a long way towards ensuring Van Gaal’s squad make a deep run in the tournament once again.
One to watch: Cody Gakpo
It’s rare for wingers to be tall, but height is one of many attributes Gakpo brings to the table. The 1.87m PSV Eindhoven winger has turned the heads of many of the top clubs in Europe over the last couple of years with his direct and aggressive style of play primarily from the left wing.
The Netherlands’ Football of the Year for the 2021/2022 season has scored three goals for the senior national team since making his debut during UEFA EURO 2020, including the winner against Poland in the UEFA Nations League in September 2022, and will be heading to Qatar as one of Europe’s most in-form forwards.
Although Van Gaal’s current 3-4-1-2 system does not translate well from how Gakpo plays at PSV Eindhoven, he has shown that he can also play in the No10 role.
Prime Business Africa’s prediction: The Dutch hopefully will live up to the pre tournament ratings and avoid an embarrassing outing in Qatar.
Louis van Gaal and his boys will qualify from the group.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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