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Andris Niupert on the quarter-finals of the World Cup: "There is no pressure, I want to win the cup" | Israel today

2022-12-07T16:28:11.142Z


Before the match against Argentina, the Dutch goalkeeper set a high bar and shouted: "Even Messi misses a penalty!" • Virgil van Dijk promised that no special motivation was needed • And Louis van Gaal was only happy that they found his mobile phone • A visit to the Orange's training complex reveals: they came to Qatar to work - and on the way maybe also get the title


The training complex of the Dutch national team and that of Argentina are separated by a roundabout, one long road and a sharp turn to the right.

The two teams that will meet this Friday in the World Cup quarter-finals are housed in the enormous campus of Qatar University.

Argentina on court number 3, Holland on court number 6. So close, but at the same time so far.

Holland will surprise the whole world and beat Argentina?

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While every visit to the Argentinian camp included an encounter with loud fans, local media that spend hours outside the locked gate in the hope of lack of information, and foreign media that spend hours outside the gate with the same hope, in the Dutch camp the atmosphere is different.

There are no fans, there is communication, and it is all permeated with purpose.

Today (Wednesday), in honor of the official press conference, the Dutch arrived at the appointed time and left when the business was over.

They came to work, and more importantly: they came to give the team the peace it needs to do its job. 

Dor Hoffman

And thanks to the hotel staff

So far, Louis van Gaal's squad certainly does.

She went through the group stage without particularly impressing, but in the round of 16 against the USA she provided a much more promising display that brought with it a lot of confidence. The pictures of the joy when the team returned to the hotel became viral, and according to Virgil van Dijk, they have a great meaning. "Our team is very special ", said the captain, "everyone here is aware of their role and responsibility.

Of course it's hard for those who don't always play, but we still support each other and that's the key to success.

After the round of 16 we were euphoric and wanted to celebrate with the hotel staff, who also have a part in our success."

As impressive as Van Dyck is on the pitch, he is also impressive behind the interview table.

With a captivating smile, he shook off questions that tried to dwarf the opponents the Netherlands had met so far, sent recovery wishes to the Brazilian soccer legend Pele, complimented Leo Messi, whom he described as one of the best in history, admitted that the team has been practicing penalties since it met and talked about the rivalry between Argentina and the Netherlands.

As I remember, history is big in huge meetings, including the 1978 final, the 1998 quarter-final and the 2014 semi-final. "I don't need extra motivation because of what happened in history," clarified the Liverpool stopper, "it's a quarter-final and that's special enough. We want to get on the field, prove that we deserve And continue to get closer to our dream."

Van Halen (right) with Timber.

Family atmosphere, photo: AFP

Together in hope and faith

It's hard to steal focus from Van Dijk, a man with a huge presence, but Andries Neufert succeeded in his unique way.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who stands 2.03 m tall, and who made his debut in the national uniform at the World Cup in Qatar, is a one-man show.

As befits a Dutchman from the north, he is paperless, full of passion, without censorship, straight to the point.

He doesn't mix and he doesn't dodge.

tells his truth as it is.

When Nofert is asked a question, he doesn't speak the answer, he shouts it.

"Do you feel pressure?", "No!!! Every match is the same! I want to win the cup!!!".

"Are you ready to face Messi's penalty?", "Messi misses too! And we saw it here in the tournament!".

And so it continued: "How does it feel to get from the second division to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in two years?, "Every little boy dreams of the World Cup.

During my career I put the dream aside but I fought, and there is only one person who could have brought me here and that is this man - Van Hal!" Only after one of the hostile journalists found him. And the truth is, the old coach was not missing. This Holland is so together and united, that Van Dijk and Nofert provided all the information, all the hope and all the faith, that Friday will be fine.

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2022-12-07

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