CNN
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Saturday’s round of 16 matches US Men’s National Team When Netherlands One of the most interesting clashes in the first knockout round of . Qatar 2022.
Bookmakers have the Netherlands as the frontrunner in the odds, but this matchup is certainly closer than that, and both teams are confident of booking a place in the quarterfinals.
USMNT gave England big trouble in their group stage match. A 0-0 draw could have left him so out of that game that the two teams were disappointed. High stakes, winner-takes-all matches Greg Berhalter’s men have shown they can perform under intense pressure.
The Netherlands are ranked eighth in the FIFA world rankings (eight ahead of the United States) and boast world-famous talent such as Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay, so Saturday’s match will be tough for the United States.
Will Berhalter’s team reach the last eight for the first time since 2002? CNN Sports will find out.
Of course, the US’s main concern is Starman’s fitness Christian Pulisic.
The Chelsea forward suffered what he called a pelvic contusion while scoring the winner with a crunch. War against Iranbut head coach Verhalter said Friday that Pulisic will play on Saturday.
Pulisic, nicknamed “Captain America” by some US fans, told reporters on Thursday that he would “work with this medical team and do everything in his power to get him playing.”
Fortunately for US fans, USMNT tweets from official account Late Friday, Pulisic was “cleared to play” in a win-or-go-home match against the Netherlands.
The performance against Iran – a tiring but well deserved 1-0 victory – came against the backdrop of a lot of off-field tension in the build-up, so it was especially pleasing for Burhalter.
Burhalter and captain Tyler Adams faced tough questions from Iranian journalists and dodged accusations of hypocrisy and disrespect during a heated pre-match press conference.
His team’s ability to focus and deliver when it mattered most will give Verhalter and the US fans a lot of confidence heading into Saturday’s game.
“Anything is possible from here.” Burhalter said before the game. “It’s a great opportunity, but we’re not flattered by it. We deserve and want to stay where we are.”
While Pulisic was the undisputed star of the USMNT, captain Adams was the team’s driving force and heartbeat.
The Leeds midfielder displayed his cool on and off the pitch, praising his coolness and eloquence when answering questions from Iranian journalists.
Verhalter, whose team has yet to concede a goal from open play in this World Cup, praised his “general” after the win against Iran.
“Tyler fits a very specific role.” Burhalter said“He’s a general and a strategist. He’s someone who goes out and sets an example. When he speaks, people listen.”
If the United States can play as they did most of their games against England and Iran, they could be on the hook for a World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2002.
USMNT is confident against the Netherlands, which has not held together well in Qatar.
Luis van Gaal’s side have managed to impress in the closing minutes, thanks to Edouard Mendy’s two goalkeeper errors, and fortunately not to win against Ecuador. None left.
The team’s 2-0 victory over Qatar was a more convincing performance.
Few would have expected the Netherlands to be a serious contender at this World Cup. And even though he hasn’t yet clicked as a team, his team finishing top of Group A will please coach van Gaal, a manager known for his pragmatism.
The 71-year-old, who is now in his third term as manager of the Dutch national team, hit back at a reporter’s claim that the team’s performance against Qatar was “horribly boring” at a pre-match press conference. did. He praised the “enthusiastic and sharp” US team in the quarterfinals.
Van Gaal said Thursday: “I know from experience that it’s always very difficult to play against countries such as the United States and Australia that we faced in the 2014 World Cup Brazil.
“They work very hard and they handle the ball well.
“The United States has proven to have a great team, one of the best, even a fine-tuned team. [but] It’s not something we can’t overcome.
“The USA, a very energetic team, have physically strong players and are tough against any opponent, and their results show that they have to be strong to win and to beat the USA. I’ll do the best I can, that’s all.”
The Netherlands managed just eight shots on target in three games in the group stage, but scored five goals, mostly thanks to star player Cody Gakpo.
The 23-year-old is likely to have significantly increased his transfer fee in this tournament, much to the delight of Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, scoring three goals with his right foot, left foot and head to qualify for the 2022 World Cup alongside Kylian. I led the Golden Boot race for the Cup. Mbappe, Marcus Rashford, Alvaro Morata, Ener Valencia.
Manchester United are reportedly one of the clubs already eyeing a bid for Gakpo after the World Cup, and Dutch star Van Dijk has said the winger’s potential means he will “go to the moon and come back.” He said he could see them coming.
“He’s a very good player and a good boy,” said the Liverpool defender. “What we see in training is what we see on the pitch. There is still a lot of potential and I hope he continues to show it. I’m here.
Van Gaal adds: He’s open to anything, so he has a great personality that could make him a star player. ”
With the team struggling against Ecuador’s athletic team and America also becoming a threat, Holland needs Gakpo at his best along with Van Dijk and midfielder De Jong to survive a tough test in America.
10am ET, Khalifa International Stadium.
USA: Fox Sports
UK: BBC or ITV
Australia: SBS
Brazil: Sports TV
Germany: ARD, ZDF, Deutsche Telekom
Canada: Bell Media
South Africa: SABC
