With strong and undefeated defenses, Netherlands and USA open the World Cup playoffs

Netherlands and United States are undefeated in the World Cup. Each of the teams conceded only one goal in three matches in the first phase. This Saturday (3) they will play the first duel of the round of 16 of the competition in Qatar.

The match kicks off at 12:00 (Brasília time), at the Khalifa stadium, in Al Rayyan, on the outskirts of Doha.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has fielded three centre-backs, under the leadership of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, one of the best in the world at the position.

The only goal conceded by the winners of Group A (two wins and a draw) was against Ecuador – Qatar and Senegal did not leak goalkeeper Noppert, the tallest player in this World Cup, at 2.03 m.

The United States (one win and two draws), coached by Gregg Berhalter, play with two tackles. The goal that the second-placed team in Group B took was in the opening game, from the penalty spot, against Wales, in a reckless move by Zimmerman, who brought down Gareth Bale in the area. The British and Iranians were unable to score goals defended by goalkeeper Turner.

In the attack, Van Gaal’s main bet is Gakpo, from PSV Eindhoven, who scored a goal in each match in the Cup. If he scores in the United States, he will become the first Dutchman to score in four straight World Cup matches. He is tied with Neeskens (1974), Bergkamp (1994) and Sneijder (2010).

In an interview on the eve of the game, a good-humored Van Gaal, in addition to praising the American team, spoke about the possibility of taking over the Belgian national team after the Cup, which is without a coach after the departure of Roberto Martínez.

“Belgium is a magnificent country, with very kind people… But I’ll have to convince my wife!”

On the American side, the scorer of the knockout goal, number 10 Pulisic, had a pelvic injury in the match and had to undergo treatment in a Qatari hospital.

The Chelsea player is doubtful for the match that could put his country in the quarterfinals for the second time – the first was in the Cup of South Korea and Japan, in 2002, when the generation of Landon Donovan, historic top scorer of the United States , lost 1-0 to Germany.

“I got kneed, it wasn’t pleasant,” said Pulisic. “I’m in pain, but I feel better”, explained the player, adding that he will do “everything within reach to enter the field”.

The Netherlands, which was not in the 2018 World Cup, in Russia, has three world runners-up on its curriculum (1974, when the engaging football made it known as Clockwork Orange, 1978 and 2010).

The two teams have never met in competition matches. In friendlies, four wins for Europeans and one for North Americans.

Those who advance to the quarterfinals will face the winner of Argentina x Australia, also this Saturday, at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Ahmed bin Ali stadium, also in Al Rayyan.