Louis van Gaal believes Netherlands can win the Qatar World Cup and ‘deserve some respect’.
Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal has stated that they need to work hard in other to achieve their purpose the World cup in Qatar.
The Oranje are unbeaten in 17 matches and have defeated Senegal and drawn with Ecuador in their two Group A games so far.
Speaking with the media Van Gaal stated that: “I hope this [saying the target is to win the competition] is no pressure at all.
“Because I think you always have to identify the goal, the purpose for which you are here, and then you can work your way towards that purpose. If you don’t identify that purpose and say ‘the last 16 or the quarter-finals is enough’, that isn’t the right way to do things.
“I never said we’re going to become world champion, I said we can become it, that we have a chance, and the players have also become convinced of that.”
The former Manchester United manager added that: “By and large they have performed really well in the squad for us and I’m just assuming that will continue to happen.
“I try to make sure every player reaches his full potential, and I’m quite successful. We are unbeaten for 17 matches and if you look at the goal difference, I think that we deserve some respect.”
Cody Gakpo has scored in both group games, and Van Gaal said of the forward: “I had more or less expected he would evolve this way, but I believe he’s going to evolve even further, much further. I’m not surprised, but it’s marvellous he can do this on the world stage.”
