By Mark Gleeson
Doha: Virgil van Dijk deflected several questions about his looming confrontation with Lionel Messi but admitted the Netherlands would be cautious in their approach against Argentina in Friday’s (6am Saturday AEDT) World Cup quarter-final.
The Dutch skipper stuck to the same line in fielding a flurry of inquiries about how he and his teammates will deal with the threat of Messi at the Lusail Stadium.
“It’s not about me, or the Netherlands, against Messi, it’s about the Netherlands against Argentina,” he repeated several times at a news conference on Wednesday.
In response to a question about how worried they might be about the threat of the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Van Dijk said: “Worried no, but cautious of what Argentina can bring to the game.
“They are a fantastic team with fantastic players, and we are going to have to do well in all departments of the match.”
He agreed that his side could have played better in Qatar, despite not losing a game and winning their group, but diplomatically dodged a question about whether criticism of their performances back home was typically Dutch.
Lionel Messi trains ahead of a quarter-final showdown with the Dutch.Credit:AP
“We also feel that our play in the last game could have been better,” he said.
“We are all perfectionists and could like to have performed better. But what is nice is that we are still in the competition and playing in the quarter-finals.”
The Dutch are eager to break new ground and win a World Cup after losing in three finals. “There is a hunger, dreams and a feeling that we really want to get it,” Van Dijk said.
“When you are in the quarter-finals you are only three games from glory. This is our opportunity. But obviously we have to get past an Argentina side with one of the best players of all time.”
Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk.Credit:AP
The Dutch also face the possibility of the majority of the 80,000-odd crowd cheering on Argentina as a surprisingly small number of orange-clad Dutch supporters have travelled.
Usually, the Dutch get significant support on the road but without them, Van Dijk believes an early goal might be important to quieten the opposing fans.
“Then it comes a whole different game,” he said. “But I think it will be nice to play in such an ambiance.”
Meanwhile, Germany coach Hansi Flick will remain in his position despite his side’s dismal performance in Qatar, governing body the DFB said in a statement on Wednesday.
Flick and team director Oliver Bierhoff were widely criticised after their second consecutive group-stage exit at a World Cup.
Bierhoff became the first casualty after agreeing to leave his post two years before his contract ends.
But Flick will stay on.
“We are all convinced that Euro 2024 in our own country represents a great opportunity for football in Germany. Our goal is to make this tournament a sporting success. We have full confidence in Hansi Flick,” said DFB president Bernd Neuendorf in a statement.
Hansi Flick.Credit:AP
“With regard to Oliver Bierhoff’s successor, we have agreed that we will first discuss the future structure of this position within the DFB and then make a personnel decision.”
Germany crashed out of the tournament in Qatar after losing to Japan, drawing with Spain and beating Costa Rica in the last Group E match. Spain and Japan advanced from the group.
The Germans also tumbled out of the 2018 World Cup at the group stage, at the time their earliest exit in 80 years.
They also failed to advance past the round of 16 at Euro 2020 last year.
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