Netherlands’ chance to show they are not all talk

After much posturing, the Netherlands now need to deliver if they are to fulfil their own prophecy at the World Cup, starting with the opening clash of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.

There has been much talk -- all from the Dutch camp -- of the team's potential to go all the way in the tournament in Qatar, principally from veteran coach Louis van Gaal, who enjoys a little mental coaxing and sparring.

But although they won their first round group, there was little evidence to back up their self-confidence as they stuttered through against Senegal, Ecuador and the Qatari hosts.

And coach Louis van Gaal hit back on Friday at the "negative" media coverage of his team at the World Cup.

The 71-year-old is unbeaten in a record 10 World Cup matches as a coach, having also led the Dutch to a third-placed finish in 2014 in Brazil.

But the Dutch press have repeatedly criticised his tactics, saying the current team is too pragmatic and does not play the attacking style for which the Netherlands first became known in the 1970s.

"In 2014 it was exactly the same, it was not different. It was very negative," Van Gaal told a pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's game.

"But, exact same thing now, same old, so I'm used to it and I think my players are also used to it.

"So we're going to calmly continue on the path that we've embarked on."

All these outside noise and Netherlands' situation will offer hope to the Americans, who will be underdogs for their last-16 clash but who have already offered up some proof of their potential in an unbeaten run in Group B, with draws against England and Wales and a gritty win over Iran to ensure their progress.

The USA coach Gregg Berhalter said he is 'hopeful' Christian Pulisic, who suffered a pelvic contusion following a heavy collision while scoring the winning goal in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Iran, to be fit for today's clash while striker Josh Sargent still remain a fitness doubt. Sergeant also picked up a knock in the win over Iran.

However, Berhalter said his team would have no inferiority complex at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

"It's a great opportunity, but it's not something that we're going into it thinking is an honour," Berhalter said.

"We deserve to be in the position we're in. And we want to keep going. We don't want to be going home on Saturday.

"And from here anything can happen. All we need to do is play one game at a time. There's no need to even project how far this team can go," added Berhalter, who has an intimate knowledge of Dutch football. The 49-year-old played in the Dutch league for three different clubs between 1996 and 2000.

For the Netherlands, key will be to get Memphis Depay firing in attack and Frenkie de Jong more influential in the middle. Van Gaal has described them both as indispensable to the Dutch cause but they have not yet shown that.

Depay says he is over his hamstring injury, having made two substitute appearances and started their last group game.

"I have drawn a line under the questions about fitness," he told reporters.

"I'm fit. The knockout phase is serious business. We are past the group phase, we can now not afford to slip into it. Many people thought it would be a piece of cake, but it is always a bit different."

The 71-year-old Van Gaal was keen not to underestimate the opposition.

"Australia are very fanatical and sharp on the ball."

The winner of the match will advance to a quarterfinal meeting with either Argentina or Australia on December 9.