Saturday’s Round of 16 between the US Men’s National Team and the Netherlands is one of the most intriguing first-round knockout matches of Qatar 2022.
Although the bookies have the Netherlands as favorites, this matchup is definitely closer than that and both the teams will feel confident of making it to the quarter-finals.
The USMNT gave England real problems in their group-stage game and came away with perhaps the most disappointing of the two teams with a 0–0 draw while taking on Iran in a high-stakes game. A solid win, the winner takes it. Every game showed that Greg Berhalter’s men can perform under extreme pressure. (Netherlands Vs. USA: Two Exciting Young Teams Go Head-To-Head For A Place In The World Cup Quarter-Finals)
With the Netherlands ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings, eight places above the United States, and world-renowned talents such as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk and Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay, Saturday’s match will be tough for the US.
Can Berhalter’s men reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2002? CNN Sport takes a look.
Usmnt’s Major Threat
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Of course, the main concern for America is the fitness of star Christian Pulisic.
The Chelsea striker suffered a pelvic injury while scoring the winner in their decider against Iran, but head coach Berhalter said on Friday that Pulisic was on track to play on Saturday.
Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America” by some US fans, told reporters on Thursday that he would “do everything in his power to work with this medical team and make sure he can play.”
Fortunately for American fans, the USMNT tweeted from its official account on Friday night that Pulisic “has been cleared to play” in the win-or-go-home game against the Dutch.
‘Anything can happen
The performance against Iran, a tough but well-deserved 1-0 victory, must have been incredibly enjoyable for Berhalter, especially as it came against the backdrop of much tension off the pitch in the build-up.
Berhalter and captain Tyler Adams faced some tough questions from Iranian journalists at a pre-game news conference, dodging accusations of hypocrisy and disrespect.
The fact that his team was able to focus and deliver when it mattered most will give Berhalter and the American fans a great deal of confidence heading into Saturday’s game.
“From here, anything can happen,” Berhalter said before the game. “It’s a great opportunity, but it’s not something we’re going to think of as an honor. We deserve the position we’re in and we want to keep it that way.”
While Pulisic is undoubtedly the star of the USMNT, Captain Adams has been the engine and heartbeat of the team.
The Leeds midfielder has shown poise both on and off the pitch, winning praise for his composure and eloquence in answering such questions from Iranian journalists.
Berhalter, whose team is yet to concede a goal in open play at this World Cup, praised his “normal” form after the win against Iran.
“Tyler fits a very specific role,” Berhalter said. “He is the general, he is the strategist. He is the man who goes out and talks. When he speaks people listen.”
Rival
If the US can perform as they did against England and against Iran in most of the matches, then it is tempting to make the quarterfinals of the first World Cup since 2002.
The USMNT will feel confident against a Dutch team that hasn’t made it to Qatar.
Louis van Gaal’s side has so far failed to impress, conceding a late win against Senegal due to two goalkeeping errors by Edouard Mendy and scoring just one point against Ecuador in a game they were lucky not to lose.
The team’s 2-0 win over Qatar was a more solid performance, but it also comes with a caveat that Qatar is the bad guy in this tournament.
What The Coach Said
Few would have expected the Netherlands to be a serious contender at this World Cup and head coach van Gaal, known for his pragmatism, managed to top Group A despite a team still not fit Will be pleased with
The 71-year-old, currently in his third spell in charge of the Netherlands national team, responded to a reporter’s claims that his team’s performance against Qatar was “extremely boring” and at their pre-match press conference for the quarter-finals, he praised a “hardcore and crafty” American team.
“I know from experience that matches against countries like the United States and Australia, which we met in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, are always very difficult,” Van Gaal said on Thursday.
“He works very hard and is good with the ball.
“The United States has shown they have an outstanding team, I would even say one of the best teams, a team that is in tune, [but] it’s nothing we can’t overcome,” Van Gaal said on Friday, Reuters.
“The United States is a very energetic team, they have physically strong players and it is difficult for any opponent, and it shows in their results, but we want the United States to win and Will do everything possible for Rane, that’s why.”
Major Threat From the Netherlands
The Netherlands had only eight shots in their three group-stage matches, but scored five goals, thanks mainly to young star Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old has increased his transfer value significantly in this tournament, scoring all three of his goals with his right foot, left foot, and head to lead the bootleg race, much to the delight of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. 2022 World Cup Gold with Killian. Mbappé, Marcus Rashford, Álvaro Morata and Enner Valencia.
Reports suggest Manchester United is already one of the clubs looking to sign Gakpo after the World Cup and Dutch star Van Dijk said the winger’s potential could see him “go to the moon and back”. .
“He’s a very good player and a very good guy,” the Liverpool defender said. “What we see in training is what you see on the pitch. There is still a lot of potentials and I hope he continues to show it to us. We are very happy about that.
Van Gaal said: “Things can change, but Cody has what it takes to be a star. He has an amazing personality to be a star player because he is open-minded to anything.”
This team battled against an athletic team from Ecuador, a threat that the United States would also pose, and the Netherlands would need van Dijk and midfielder De Jong, along with Gackpo, to overcome a tough test at the Americans.
When And Where
10 A.M. M. Et At Khalifa International Stadium.
How To Watch
United States: Fox Sports
United Kingdom: BBC or ITV
Australian: SBS
Brazil: Sport TV
Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom
Canada: Bell Media
South Africa: SABC
