“No Finidi George” – Louis van Gaal reveals why Netherlands lost to Argentina in World Cup QF

The Dutch crashed out of soccer’s largest competition after dropping on penalties to a Messi-inspired Argentina

Head coach Louis van Gaal has attributed a scarcity of a prime attacking participant like Nigerian nice George Finidi as the rationale behind the Netherlands’ crushing loss to Argentina on Friday.

Van Gaal and Finidi labored collectively at Ajax within the early nineties throughout which the previous Tremendous Eagles star was rated among the many world’s greatest proper wingers.

A everlasting characteristic within the Nigerian groups that received the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, Finidi was adjudged the most effective gamers on the Tremendous Eagles’ debut look on the World Cup in the identical yr.

The next yr, Finidi was one of many key gamers as Ajax, led by Louis van Gaal, grew to become the kings of Europe after lifting the UEFA Champions League.

Forward of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Louis van Gaal reconfigured the Netherlands right into a high quality attacking power and one of many groups with an outdoor likelihood of profitable the event.

Satisfied of the standard gamers at his disposal within the Dutch camp, Louis van Gaal hoped he might repeat that triumphant 1995 feat and information the Netherlands to their first-ever World Cup triumph.

However that dream ended dramatically within the quarterfinals in Qatar. Regardless of pulling off an unbelievable comeback from a two-goal deficit, the Dutch failed to search out the profitable purpose, finally dropping on penalties to Argentina.

Louis van Gaal believes his squad has ‘quite a lot of soccer potential’ however the absence of a sport changer from the wings like his former protege, George Finidi, gave Argentina the benefit.

“That’s why we haven’t misplaced 20 video games since we began collectively final summer time. That’s not for nothing,” Louis van Gaal instructed Parool.

“Solely we don’t have a proper and left striker like I had at Ajax. No Overmars, no Finidi George. If we play soccer with wingers, it may solely be achieved in plan B or C. However organising two lengthy strikers and pumping balls into the 16-meter as rapidly as doable, you received’t all the time try this. You don’t wish to play opportunistically on a regular basis.

“You want wingers who (can go) previous a person. Our soccer at the moment doesn’t have that, not for the very highest stage of a World Cup and the battle with prime nations. That’s why I began enjoying in another way. And we’ve come a good distance. Simply not the semi-finals. Out on pings.”

Victory over the Netherlands sends Argentina to the semifinals of the World Cup the place they’ll face Croatia for a spot within the last.