NOS Football•
Van Gaal: ‘Flu symptoms due to air conditioning in several Orange players’
The Dutch national team is struggling with a number of weakened players in the group the day before the World Cup match with the United States. According to Louis van Gaal, several internationals have “flu symptoms”, presumably caused by the air conditioning in Doha.
“We are not going to elaborate on that”, the national coach did not want to mention any names to NOS. “But if it goes around in the group, it is worrying.” He also did not want to say how many players are involved. “But it’s not fifteen.”
In the run-up to the game in the eighth final, the traditional eleven-on-eleven was not played at training either. Van Gaal also did not want to say whether the flu symptoms are directly related to this.
“I gave them a day of rest,” he says. “With this group, they communicate that to me. I listen to my players.”
For the time being, Van Gaal expects that he will have all his 26 players available on Saturday: “In principle, yes.”
Although the Netherlands easily survived the group with Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, there are many comments on the game played by the Orange. “That criticism was also there in 2014. It is difficult for me to change it.”
In 2014, when van Gaal was also at the helm of the Netherlands, the team was given little chance in advance in a group with reigning world champions Spain, Chile and Australia. In the end, the Dutch finished third, after beating Brazil in the consolation final.
“I read everything, get everything to me. I hear that and think: history repeats itself,” says Van Gaal about that negativity, which does affect him. “Of course it is annoying. It is more fun for the players if they are supported by the Dutch media.”
Unwise words Depay
Now an interview with Memphis Depay is also being widely reported again, in which he said he would prefer Steven Bergwijn as a companion in the attack.
“I didn’t think it was wise,” says Van Gaal about Depay’s statement. “But it says something about our way of working that we can accept that from each other. That’s the beauty of this announcement. I always listen to players’ preferences, but I can’t answer every request.”
