The Orange came into action against the United States in the eighth finals of the World Cup, which meant that football-loving Netherlands was watching closely. Many amateur clubs decided to postpone their matches on Saturday to another time, so that the match could be watched. The canteen was also packed at SCG’18 in Sint-Michielsgestel.
And on Saturday afternoon it was all about ‘the real thing’, as national coach Louis van Gaal said beforehand. The match between the Netherlands and the United States started at four o’clock in Qatar.
He held on to the team he sent into the field in the last group match against Qatar (2-0). “I choose this eleven again because I was quite satisfied with it.”
“They have to win, this one.”
They also had confidence in Sint-Michielsgestel. “I’m betting on 1-0 for the Netherlands,” said an Orange fan who watched with his team. In any case, every World Cup match is followed together.
“A lot depends on it, it just makes me sweat.”
Already in the tenth minute, a deafening cheer erupts when the first goal falls for the Orange. All hands go together for Memphis Depay who shoots the Netherlands ahead. “Very nice, this is a good start. Now continue!”
Just before the break, Daley Blind popped the ball into the net: “Yes, 2-0 for the Netherlands, why not?”, a supporter exclaims. Confidence starts to grow and the canteen happily sings along to ‘atje for the atmosphere’ which sounds through the speakers.
“I don’t know what kind of goal that was, but that doesn’t make sense of course.”
But with a half to go, they don’t dare to pocket the win just yet. “They have to keep going now.” With fifteen minutes left on the clock, America had another huge opportunity. Wright outplayed Noppert, but Dumfries took him just off the line. Two minutes later there is still the 2-1.
The tension grew for a while: “I don’t know what kind of goal that was, but that doesn’t make any sense, of course. It’s exciting now, yes,” says a disappointed supporter with a beer in his hand.
The redeeming goal soon arrived. Dumfries made it 3-1 in the 80th minute. The whistle sounded and cheers erupted: the Dutch national team has secured a place in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over the United States.
They will play again next Friday, this time against Argentina.