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Netherlands – Game plan
The Netherlands will like to continue their momentum after qualifying recently for the Nations League finals, to be played on home turf, next year. They won their group after Virgil van Dijk header brought a 1-0 victory over Belgium.
The 5-3-2 system earlier used by Louis van Gaal when the Oranje reached the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup and beat hosts Brazil 3-0 in the third-place playoff. The same 5-3-2 was introduced in March. This change in formation away from earlier 4-3-3 by coach Louis van Gaal has provoked criticism even from captain Van Dijk.
The longer I have been a coach the more I have learned to love the 5-3-2 system….You can attack with it and you can defend with it. You can put the opponent under pressure everywhere and, if you play it well, there is less risk of the opponent breaking through on the counterattack because you have three central defenders.
I felt that in a 4-3-3 system it was best to form triangles everywhere, but back then I didn’t have the ability to see the advantages of that other system. In the 5-3-2 system the balance in the team is better and it could possibly be done with a 3-4-3 too.
The Netherland coach Louis van Gaal on 5-3-2 formation
Netherlands Team Jersey
The new Oranje (Orange) jerseys will be worn by the Dutch men’s national teams for home matches while new blue jersey will be for away matches.
The mane of the Dutch Lion is recreated in a modern pattern on the iconic Orange home shirt to represent the fluidity of the Total Football tactical system. The return of blue away shirt is inspired by Dutch culture. Dutch team was donning alternate black since 2020.
Netherlands at last 6 World Cups
| # | Year | Highest Stage |
| 01 | 1998 | Semi Final |
| 02 | 2002 | Did not qualify |
| 03 | 2006 | Round of 16 |
| 04 | 2010 | Final |
| 05 | 2014 | Semi Final |
| 06 | 2018 | Did not qualify |
Netherlands favourite formation
The Netherlands look to have settled on a 5-3-2 system that has worked reasonably well in recent months.
Netherlands group fixtures
Netherlands is part of Group A along with Ecuador, Senegal and Qatar. The Group level fixtures for Netherlands are as follows:
| Match# | Teams | Date/Time(GMT) | Venue/Stadium |
| Match# 02 | Netherlands v Sengal | Mon 21 Nov, 4pm | Al Thumama Stadium |
| Match# 18 | Netherlands v Ecuador | Fri 25 Nov, 4pm | Khalifa International Stadium |
| Match # 35 | Netherlands v Qatar | Tue 29 Nov, 3pm | Al Bayt Stadium |
Netherlands‘ World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers
- Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord)
- Andries Noppert (Heerenveen)
- Remko Pasveer (Ajax)
- Defenders
- Nathan Ake (Manchester City)
- Daley Blind (Ajax)
- Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan)
- Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich)
- Stefan de Vrij (Inter MIlan)
- Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United)
- Jurrien Timber (Ajax)
- Virgil Van Dijk (Liverpool)
- Midfielders
- Steven Berghuis (Ajax)
- Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
- Marten de Roon (Atalanta)
- Davy Klaassen (Ajax)
- Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta)
- Xavi Simons (PSV)
- Kenneth Taylor (Ajax)
- Attackers/Forwards
- Steven Bergwijn (Ajax)
- Luuk de Jong (PSV)
- Memphis Depay (Barcelona)
- Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven)
- Vincent Janssen (Antwerp)
- Noa Lang (Club Brugge)
- Wout Weghorst (Besiktas)
- Coach
- Louis van Gaal – Dutch coach with most wins (37)
- Star player
- Virgil van Dijk
- Player to Watchout this World Cup
- Cody Gakpo
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Netherlands’ Probable lineup
