Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal revealed Friday that a number of his players are dealing with flu symptoms on the eve of Saturday’s round-of-16 match against the United States men’s national team.
Speaking to reporters in a press conference, van Gaal said that all 26 players of the Dutch squad went through training on Friday, but admitted that he was fearful of the illness spreading through the group. He did not reveal how many players were experiencing symptoms or the names of those that were ill.
“We are not going to elaborate on that,” van Gaal said, per ESPN’s Tom Hamilton. “But if it goes around in the group, it is worrying.”
Van Gaal was then asked if he would have enough fit players to take on the U.S. on Saturday. He responded that 15 of his 26 players would have to be ruled out for him to struggle with fielding a team.
“There are not 15 or so,” Van Gaal clarified. “In principle, everyone is fit and available.”
Though the Netherlands went through training on Friday, they did not have their usual 11 vs. 11 match.
The situation in the Dutch camp bears watching, while on the U.S. side, coach Gregg Berhalter is managing injuries to two key players. Berhalter said Friday that he was hopeful of Christian Pulisic’s chances to play through a pelvic contusion, but “a little less” hopeful about the status of striker Josh Sargent, who is nursing an ankle injury.
Both players played significant minutes for the United States during group play and now may be called upon to take on an ailing Netherlands side. Kickoff for the elimination game is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET on Fox.
