00:00Hello and welcome to Golf News kicking back where we have just seen the first, last 16
00:15match between the Netherlands and the USA where the Netherlands ran out comfortable
00:203-1 winners. It was the first time in fact in the tournament where we've actually seen
00:25the Netherlands play some of that football that we all know that they're capable of.
00:28In the group stages they seemed too flattered to deceive even though they'd got two wins
00:32and a draw. But Sharm, this finally looks like that they're playing and putting together
00:37a decent game and they scored three really good goals today.
00:41I wouldn't say it's a complete turnaround as yet because they're coming together a lot
00:49better than the previous games. But even today it is more of their skill or maybe their professionalism
00:58which came to the fore really. See they got four chances, they put three of them in. But
01:03then more of the match was played by the USA. But the Dutch we know, they are very clinical
01:11finishers. They are ruthless and you don't give them chances like that. Four mistakes,
01:19they scored three. So this is the Dutch we know. But we've still not yet seen the flowing
01:25football that the Dutch are capable of. But I'm sure they are getting there.
01:31It looks like Sharm that there's signs of life from them. But it could have been a totally
01:35different game had Christian Pulisic put that chance away after just three minutes. He was
01:40clean through. He looked across to see if the flag had gone up for offside. He was onside
01:45and his left foot shot lacked any power and the keeper made a brave stop. Had that gone
01:49in Sharm and had the Netherlands been chasing this game, could we have been looking at a
01:54totally different result today?
01:55Absolutely, yes. If that had gone in, yes. The whole tenor of the match could have changed.
02:03I think you got it right. Because the whole problem was Pulisic was worried that he was
02:07offside. I think that affected his concentration a bit. So in one-on-one situations, that kind
02:14of split-second hesitation, that is what did him in. I think if that ball had gone in,
02:19like you said, we would have had a different match in our hands.
02:23That's absolutely right, Sharm. That split-second gave the keeper the advantage. He came out
02:27narrow at the angle and used his leg to good effect to stop that opportunity. But let's
02:32bring Satish in. Satish, the US can be quite pleased having reached the last 16 of the
02:37tournament, having done okay in the group stage. And they can go home not too disappointed,
02:42can't they?
02:43Yes, absolutely. I think that's a huge credit to them. Because reaching the last 16 in a
02:51World Cup, it's always incredible in an awkward stage where anything can go anywhere. And
02:56Dutch having the experience of being one of the big nations in the footballing world,
03:01I think they can be proud of their effort. Yes, maybe we all thought the surprises will
03:08go on in the last 16 stage also. But that was not to be. But Dutch did a good job to
03:15keep the sanity intact in the last 16 so far.
03:19You're right, Satish. But we could be seeing some more shocks. There's going to be plenty
03:24of clashes coming up. But Sharm, let's bring Sharm back in. Louis van Gaal, we know he's
03:29been around the block plenty of times. He took the Netherlands to the semi-final in
03:33the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they lost on penalties to Argentina. He's got them to
03:38the quarter-finals. Just how far do you think he can guide this current team?
03:43I think they are quite capable of going all the way up to the semi-finals because if they
03:49keep the pace. Like you said, van Gaal is an old fox. He's been at this game for far
03:56too long. He knows exactly what to do to win. Even today, if you look at it, the Dutch strategy
04:02was very clear. Full credit to van Gaal for that because the pace and intensity from the
04:08USA was so good. But the Dutch never tried to match that. They just stood back, defended
04:15and caught them on the counters. And those counters were so fast and so effective. That's
04:21all they needed to do. Three goals. And what a performance from Denzel Dumfries. Two assists
04:26and a goal. And so also Nopper, the goalkeeper, he brought a fantastic show. So, I mean,
04:33Daliblin, an assist and a goal. So, I think they are really, really getting there. I think
04:40they are going up by a notch with every game. So, I think they are quite capable of going up to
04:47the semi-finals. But van Gaal says they can go to the final. But of course, he's the coach,
04:52he would say that. But I think realistically, a semi-final looks like a distinct possibility now.
04:59There was a brilliant press conference yesterday, Shaham, with Louis van Gaal.
05:04One journalist, he said, you know, the football is just so boring. I'm not excited by the football.
05:10Van Gaal's response was, why don't you go home then? The journalist came back and said,
05:14I have to stay until the final. Van Gaal said, I'll see you in the final.
05:19So, he's obviously feeling very confident that he can take them all the way. But you're right.
05:23There's, apart from today's first goal, 21-move passing goal was a tremendous first goal. The
05:29second was a carbon copy, in fact. It was a very similar goal. There's far more for them to come.
05:34But it looks like, you know, they're getting there. You know, we're seeing lots of signs of
05:38them playing the way we all know that they can play. It's certainly not total football,
05:42but they're advancing. They're in the quarter-finals. So, they'll be very pleased about
05:46that. Right, we've got two more matches to look forward to tomorrow, starting with France against
05:51Poland. Lewandowski against Mbappe. Satish, how do you feel that one's going to go tomorrow?
05:59It's going to be a tough game. But I think I will go with France, because they have been more…
06:08But it's a better team so far. When you look at them, they are more
06:12organised in the way they pass, the way they move and all. They are much better than…
06:18I'm not discounting the others, but they look very strong at this point of time.
06:23So, I would go with France in tomorrow's game.
06:26I think you're right, Satish. They have looked… Sham, they've looked really good, haven't they, so far?
06:32To me, France have been the best team on display so far. They have been very disciplined,
06:38very organised, very structured, very clinical, very professional. And they have the look of the
06:43champions. So, Poland, on the other hand, have been doing just enough. They have not been really,
06:50really impressive in that sense, but they have just been doing enough to win matches.
06:55And this is their first knockout game, let's say. And I don't think they don't stand much
07:00of a chance against France. Yeah, Poland have been looking far from
07:05exciting. They're a very workmanlike team. They're looking, obviously, to the strengths of
07:11Lewandowski. But I agree with you, too. I think France should be too strong for them.
07:14And the other one tomorrow I am very concerned about is Senegal taking on England. And honestly,
07:20guys, if England don't take this game seriously, if they don't give 100% effort, at least,
07:25and match the Senegal midfield, we could be overrun. And there could be a surprise tomorrow,
07:31as long as we play the way we can. And if Southgate gets his team selection absolutely
07:36right, this is the most important point. He has to play Foden. He's seen the damage he can do.
07:40And he has to play him on that left-hand side as well. He can't be playing him on the right
07:45and expecting him to cut in on his left and creating chances and taking shots at goal.
07:49With that in mind, Satish, how do you think England and Senegal are going to get on tomorrow?
07:53They have to just go back to the drawing board and look at the game and then say,
07:57OK, let's do the same thing. Because it's not something which it's difficult when you go back
08:02and analyse what you did right on those days. You can always go back and do that. I think that's
08:07a game that England need to play if they have to beat Senegal. Senegal could be a tricky team anyway.
08:15Yeah. Shyam, do you think we're seeing an upset tomorrow?
08:20No. I think that will be… I have a sneaky feeling this might go into finalities.
08:27Oh, God. Don't say that, Shyam. Please.
08:29I'm calling an England win, but it might be a penalty. But tomorrow's game will be won and lost
08:36in the midfield. That is for sure. Because we know Senegal can be very aggressive. They can do the
08:42running. So, you need to stop them. Which is where the English midfield is going to be very critical.
08:50And I just hope that Gareth Southgate stops experimenting. I hope he sticks on to the team
08:55from the last match. And I hope he sticks on to the team, the way they played in the second half
09:01of the last match. And I think if he does that, England can sneak a 1-0 win. Or like I said,
09:10if it goes into exo-time and penalties, they would be able to… I mean, this penalty, they will win.
09:18I think for the neutrals, we all love to see penalties. It's one of the most exciting things.
09:22But obviously, for the teams and players and the fans involved, it's painful. But I think the
09:27assessment about the midfield is absolutely right. Depending on the selection, that could hinge on
09:32the whole thing. The result could hinge on what Southgate does. The match could be won and lost
09:37before kick-off. So, we'll see. Right, well, I think we're all rushing off to watch Australia
09:41against Argentina now. So, that's all from us for tonight. In the meantime, head to golfnews.com
09:45for all the latest news and reviews. And head to our social media channels,
09:49for all our latest content and more. Thanks to the guys and we shall see you again tomorrow night.
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