The major match
Louis van Gaal because the sentimental option to win this World Cup seems like a fault within the space-time continuum. And but the austere, brusque personality who led Ajax to glory within the Nineties and whose tedious freeze-frame soccer had mid-2010s Manchester United enthusiasts barreling to the concourses has been reconfigured as global soccer’s pleasant uncle. His combat with most cancers and the truth that, at 71, this might be his last stand at the global degree has softened hearts, regardless that. He has softened, too.
Van Gaal has additionally emerged as a unprecedented voice of sense of right and wrong in an elite elegance the place the following pound will at all times be chased forward of ideas. “It’s ridiculous that the World Cup is [in Qatar],” he stated previous this yr. “FIFA says they want to develop football there. That’s bullshit. It’s about money, about commercial interests.” Take note, David Beckham and others.
With Fifa set to collect a record $7.5bn of revenue and stadia dotted with empty seats as the Doha supercity empties out in the tournament’s latter stages, such plain-speaking has been proved correct. Van Gaal, though lately banning political questions as they might distract his team, continues to have the ear of the journalists. Not for him the “we want to win” or “this is football” cliches trotted out by his contemporaries.
At Fifa’s main media center on Thursday, the great man’s press conference was a sellout. Those hacks who sat through his United team’s matches would regularly wonder why he couldn’t just do press conferences for a living, such was the richness of entertainment compared to the plodding football out on the field. In Qatar, it’s been much the same. His Netherlands team would win few prizes for artistic impression, and while playing Argentina in the quarter-final recalls the Brilliant Orange team meeting the same opposition in 1974 and 1978, Van Gaal’s team are functional, less-flying Dutchmen liable to use the long ball .
Argentina also brings Van Gaal up against one of his former United players, Ángel Di María, with whom he had a difficult relationship. “My problem in Manchester was the coach,” said Di Maria last year. “Van Gaal was the worst coach I ever had in my career.” On Thursday, the Dutch manager sidestepped the winger’s complaints before delivering one of the comedic gems the hacks had queued up for.
“Well, he is one of the very few players who ever said that,” he said. “And usually it is the other way round … a head coach sometimes needs to take decisions that don’t always end well. There’s somebody next to me here, Memphis Depay. The same thing happened to him. He also played for Manchester [United] and now we kiss each other, mouth to mouth. We’re not going to do it now.” Cue that uproarious laughter only a room full of journalists can produce.
Should the Netherlands prevail, they would end the hopes of another sentimental choice to win this World Cup, Lionel Messi, and Van Gaal has a plan for him. “Messi is the most dangerous creative player, he is able to create a lot and to score goals himself,” he stated. “But when they lose the ball he doesn’t participate much, this gives us chances.”
Many a trainer has set a plan for Messi and failed miserably, regardless that few have the revel in and air of mystery of Van Gaal. If defeat to Argentina proves to be his ultimate stand in soccer, he’s going to be ignored. He has proved a person aside in Qatar, and the sport wishes extra leaders like him. JB
Talking issues
Brazil’s collective pleasure is a favorable factor.
“It is not being disrespectful to anyone else, that is how we do things, that is us,” Tite says of Brazil’s dancing celebrations. “This may also help the education of young kids back in school and we will continue doing things in our manner.” Some bemoaned the enjoyment Brazil took in beating South Korea, infuriated by means of the crew’s want to shake hips on their solution to a World Cup quarter-final. Others will see it for what it’s: a collection {of professional} athletes taking part in out their dream in a event that’s the pinnacle in their lives. Tite was once additionally criticized for bringing on third-choice goalkeeper Weverton, but it surely supposed each and every participant in his squad has had sport time in Qatar. It confirmed the human contact to provide a just right squad guy the danger to play his phase at a World Cup. It all provides as much as a super togetherness; no participant is left at the back of whether or not they’re at the bench or within the stands injured. Everyone is handled the similar, and that may lend a hand them of their goal to win the trophy. wu
Adios Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique exiting his position as Spain supervisor made him the 5th World Cup trainer to go away, following South Korea’s Paulo Bento, Otto Addo of Ghana, Belgium’s Roberto Martínez and Gerardo Martino of Mexico. Those 4 had reached the tip in their contracts, however Luis Enrique had a deal in position till the tip of this yr earlier than lately’s mutual parting of the way. “It is determined a new project should start,” learn a Spanish FA (RFEF) remark. A later announcement learn: “the RFEF has chosen Luis de la Fuente as the new national coach.” De La Fuente has been with the nationwide setup since 2013, and led Spain’s Olympic crew to the silver medal in Tokyo ultimate yr. There he labored with various Luis Enrique’s squad. He may have the advantage of children like Pedri, Gavi and Ansu Fati achieving their peaks however, like Luis Enrique, should in finding the correct centre-forward Spain have lacked for the reason that heydays of Fernando Torres and David Villa. JB
A migrant employee’s loss of life all through the event has proved a prickly factor for the Qatari hosts. A Filipino guy shrunk to mend lighting in a carpark on the Sealine Resort – the educational website utilized by the Saudi Arabia nationwide crew – died after he reportedly “slipped off a ramp while walking alongside [a] vehicle and fell headfirst against concrete”.
Officials in Qatar have introduced an investigation, and stated “the company will be subject to legal action and severe financial penalties”, whether it is discovered that “safety protocols were not followed.” When puzzled at the topic by means of newshounds, the executive govt of the 2022 World Cup, Nasser Al Khater, spoke back angrily.
“Death is a natural part of life, whether it’s at work, whether it’s in your sleep,” Al Khater stated. “We’re in the course of a World Cup. And we’ve got a a hit World Cup. And that is one thing you need to discuss presently? JB
Global media-watch
The press within the Netherlands expects orange-clad enthusiasts to be outnumbered within the Lusail Stadium, with stories that simply 1,400 Dutch supporters have got tickets. There is no less than optimism that the crew may just growth however De Telegraaf faithful an entire piece to being concerned about Frenkie de Jong and Nathan Aké probably being suspended for the semi-finals if they’re booked towards Argentina.
In De Volkskrant, Williams Vissers in comparison Van Gaal to the mythical Rinus Michels, including that the present Dutch trainer has modified with the sport. “Van Gaal is keen to confess that he’s milder than earlier than, however most effective in behaviour. Not in imaginative and prescient, within the execution of concepts. Then he’s strict and sharp. Beyond that, forward: smoother, softer. The authoritarian trainer now not suits in with soccer anyway, and not at all in a event the place it is all about crew spirit.”
Across the border in Germany, fingers are still being pointed after the team’s early exit. According to Bild, a two-hour crisis meeting raised concerns about a “vacation feeling” at the team’s training base. Hansi Flick’s side were based at the Zulal Wellness Resort, a three-hour round-trip from Doha, and reports suggest some players found the vibe a little too laid-back. Flick has dismissed the criticism and turned his focus to Euro 2024, where Germany will host. “We have missed a great opportunity [in Qatar]Flick said. “We will be informed our courses.” MBe/NMc
The internet reacts
Luis Enrique is not the only live streamer to feature prominently during this World Cup. Sergio Agüero is also a Twitcher, or whatever the kids are calling it these days, and dropped by his old teammates on Wednesday to judge Papu Gómez’s new haircut. The Briefing reckons it’s a bit more Walter Samuel than David Beckham, but we’ll let you be the judge …
Today’s suits
Croatia v Brazil, 3pm GMT The unstoppable pressure meets the immovable object within the first of the 4 quarter-finals. Tite has inspired his Brazil crew to start out video games aggressively – “we want to score goals quickly, so later we can feel more comfortable” – however in Croatia they meet the masters of the World Cup slugfest. Zlatko Dalic’s aspect beat Denmark and Russia on consequences (and England in additional time) to achieve the 2018 last, and prevailed in any other shootout to get previous Japan on Monday. “Our last match is confirmation we can do it again,” warned Luka Modric. “We’re prepared for anything.” NMc
Netherlands v Argentina, 7pm GMT Friday’s later sport is a fixture to fireside the senses, even on paper. The 1978 last, the unforgettable 1998 quarter-final and a worrying tussle within the semi-finals in 2014 – their conferences infrequently disappoint, save for a group-stage stalemate in 2006. Croatia or Brazil wait for the victors within the semi-finals. NMc
And in any case…
As Portugal performed down stories that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to go away their World Cup coaching camp after being dropped, Tyson Fury weighed in along with his recommendation on rising outdated gracefully. “The age factor will not wait for anyone, no matter how you’ve lived,” the 34-year-old Fury instructed TalkSport. “Even Ronaldo is on the slide now,” the arena heavyweight champion added earlier than serving up an exceedingly bizarre analogy. “If you look at Ronaldo, he’s 37 years old, he’s had the best doctors, the best physiotherapists – he’s lived like an egg in Mr Kipling’s cake.” NMc