Teemu Pukki (left) and Tim Krul follow the World Cup matches from their home sofa. PDO
Holland is one of the dark horses of the World Cup tournament in Qatar.
Veteran coach Louis van Gaal knows the tricks of the trade and will surely squeeze the best possible juice out of Oranje.
On Friday, the 71-year-old head coach announced his selection for the World Cup team. It should be noted that it is not included Teemu Pukin a friend Tim Krul.
The Norwich striker would surely have passed van Gaal’s screening if he had been a little more humble about the selection process.
The head coach announced well in advance that the three best defenders in Holland will travel to the race car. And for that, he had developed a scientific test for goalkeepers that would determine the order of merit.
Krul’s specialty is precisely the penalty kicks defense. World Cup history remembers a great moment eight years ago from the tournament in Brazil, when van Gaal sent Krul on the field in the last minute of overtime.
The tactic hit the spot as Krul anticipated every Costa Rican player’s shot in the ensuing penalty shootout and made his dream save Michael Umana the bet sent Holland to the World Cup semi-finals.
However, this was all just distant history for van Gaal as he also wanted Krul to take part in the test. The Norwich striker felt that he had given his evidence and announced that he would skip the test.
The final result was clear: the Netherlands’ top three in Qatar will be formed Justin from Bijlow, Remko from Pasveer and From Andries Noppert.
Among them, Pasveer is an extremely interesting character. The 39-year-old Ajax goalkeeper only made his debut last September with the Oranje goal, but now he is already offered the first-team field.
The Netherlands has played three times in the World Cup final – losing each match. In Qatar, it is with the host country in Group A. Senegal and Ecuador complete the quartet.
THE FACTS
The Dutch World Cup team
Goalkeepers: Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Remko Pasveer (Ajax), Andries Noppert (Heerenveen)
Defense: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Ajax), Jurriën Timber (Ajax) Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Stefan de Vrij (Inter), Mathijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Tyrell Malacia ( Manchester United), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Steven Berghuis (Ajax), Davy Klaassen (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta), Cody Gakpo (PSV), Marten de Roon (Atalanta Bergamo), Kenneth Taylor (Ajax), Xavi Simons ( PSV)
Attackers: Memphis Depay (Barcelona), Steven Bergwijn (Ajax), Vincent Janssen (Antwerp), Luuk de Jong (PSV), Noa Lang (Club Brugge), Wout Weghorst (Beşiktaş JK)