Agencies/dpa
Doha
It’s time to put controversies aside and focus on the World Cup, Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal said on Thursday as his team prepared to meet Ecuador in a contest that could decide top spot in Group A.
Germany’s players protested against FIFA’s decision on Wednesday by covering their mouths before kickoff as a symbolic gesture and then went out and lost 2-1 to Japan.
Van Gaal said he did not know if the protest contributed to Germany’s shock defeat only that he was not going to take the chance of anything distracting his men against Ecuador.
“No,” Van Gaal said when asked if his team were planning any protest. “We put a full stop after all the political issues past Thursday.
“We have this purpose and we’re not going to have that tarnished by the actions of FIFA or whichever other organization.
“But I’ve already responded … I think that’s enough.”
The Netherlands might not have the standout stars they had at the 2014 World Cup, but Louis van Gaal thinks the overall quality of his squad in Qatar is better.
Van Gaal, who was in typically good humour as he previewed the Netherlands’ game against Ecuador, led the Dutch to the semi-finals eight years ago.
Memphis Depay, Daley Blind and Stefan de Vrij are the only players who featured in Van Gaal’s squad in 2014, with the rest of the Oranje’s selection in Qatar being World Cup debutants.
Although their squad lacks the leading lights of Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben that Van Gaal had at his disposal in Brazil, the Netherlands coach thinks his squad of 2022 has more to offer across the board.
With Germany and Argentina losing their first matches, there is the possibility of the draw opening up, and Van Gaal sees no reason why his team cannot capitalize.
“I didn’t see all the matches, but the fact that Germany and Argentina lost is somewhat telling, but I always say it’s easier to defend than it is attack,” he said in a press conference.
“I heard that Germany missed a lot of chances and then they lose.
This has got to do with team discipline. This is why I say this group is great.
“They’re the ones who have to put it into practice, execute my instructions for 90 minutes. If they don’t perform as well, you put in the next player who will do his utmost.
Depay only featured as a substitute against Senegal on Monday, with the Barcelona forward recovering from an injury and lack of game time at club level.
Van Gaal is unsure if the 28-year-old will be fit to start against Ecuador.
“With Memphis, he was training in Amsterdam and that was individual,” he added. “Now he needs to train with the team.
