All eyes on formula man Van Gaal
The biggest question ahead of Holland’s next match against Australia is should coach Van Gaal tinker with a winning formulaIJ Van Gaal’s decision to play a system based on five defenders against Spain was a tactical masterstroke as the Dutch humiliated the defending world champions 5-1 in Salvador in their Group B opener.
Van Gaal has now hinted he might revert to the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 system against an Australian team whose defence can be tough to break down. The Netherlands also played a 4-4-2 formation in a tune-up match against Wales, a decision based on how Van Gaal believes Australia will play when they meet Wednesday in Porto Alegre.
So which is it going to beIJ Midfield playmaker Wesley Sneijder, for one, comes from the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school. “I would say 5-3-2 to continue building for the rest of the tournament,” he told the official Netherlands supporters’ site OnsOranje.nl.
If players already know which system they will play, they weren’t letting that out after training on Monday. “Ask the coach,” Daley Blind told reporters. “We’re preparing well for the match against Australia and we’ll hear it from the coach,” he added. The coach didn’t talk to the media and the training session at the Dutch camp gave no clues.
Blind trained away from the main group, saying he has a minor knee irritation, but stressing that he is fit to play against the Aussies. All said it looks like Sneijder might just get his wish. Van Gaal played the 5-3-2 system against Spain because the European and world champions are renowned for their quick-passing, attacking style of play.
The Dutch master tactician wanted to defend solidly and then hit Spain on counterattack, a plan that worked to perfection as first Robin van Persie and then Arjen Robben latched onto long passes from Blind to score and turn the match around after their team had gone behind to a Xabi Alonso penalty.
In the second Group B match, Australia will de desperate for a win after conceding a stoppage-time goal in a 3-1 loss to Chile in their World Cup opener. That could play into Dutch hands if they adopt the same system as against Spain and punish Australia with swift counterattacks.
Midfielder Nigel de Jong said, the Dutch camp is enjoying its stunning win against Spain. But he repeated the mantra of the coach and senior players ever since the final whistle ended the Spain match. “The atmosphere’s fantastic. At the same time, it’s just one game into the group. We didn’t win nothing yet,” he added.
KEY IJ
Will Robin Van Persie and Co top their stunning opening performanceIJ
After such a performance (against Spain), the dynamics have changed. However, as a nation, we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. We have to stay realistic
— Van Persie
Win means
Holland top Group B and avoid early Round of 16 clash with host Brazil
WHAT OZ NEED
All-time leading scorer Tim Cahill to be at the peak of his game
He’s a terrific player that always gives his heart and his all on the pitch. For his country or his club. We will have to be careful because the timing to the ball with his headers is one of the best; he’s one of the best timers I’ve seen from all the players around the world. So we have to take care of that very well. We have to take this game very serious
— Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong, who knows Cahill from when both
played in the Premier league
Gritty past
Has history of gritty performance against stronger teams; has shocked one or two bigger nations, but mostly in friendlies
If we get our start right the next game we’ll be in with a better shot. Hopefully we come out against Holland a lot more positive and being a lot braver in the beginning. Spain’s loss highlights anything can happen at a World Cup
— Aussie goalie Mat Ryan