Two nations looking to return to form will do battle today in an international friendly between the Netherlands and Wales. The Dutch World Cup tune-up scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET will be held at the Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam and can be live streamed here free. Additional TV coverage can be found on ESPN Deportes.
Where Does Memphis Depay Rank In The Top 5 Under-21 Players At The World Cup?
Infighting and implosion has been rumored to be the reason the Dutch national team has failed to lift the World Cup in years past. Head coach Louis van Gaal, however, finally believes he has a content squad—one enough to compete and be victorious in Brazil. For van Gaal, it's his responsibility to ensure that remains the case.
"It's also dependent on the management [that there's no infighting], it is not only the players. I think it is about the relationship between a manager and his squad," he said (via the Guardian). "In my first episode there was that [disruption], but I have understood now. They like me now. I feel there are not any problems. We have a very good relationship," he added.
"But it is also dependent on the results. At this moment we don't lose so much."
Will the Netherlands be able to maintain that string of results when Wales visits the Amsterdam Arena this afternoon? Tell us @SportsWN
Tactical Preview
Player to Watch: Memphis Depay was named one of the five under-21 players to watch for in the 2014 World Cup by Sports World News. The 20-year-old made 32 appearances for PSV Eindhoven last season, contributing 12 goals and seven assists. Typically a true winger, Depay will attempt to translate his skills as a center-forward in Louis van Gaal's 5-3-2 formation.
Netherlands' Projected Lineup (5-3-2): Cillessen; Blind, Vrij, Vlaar, Indi, Janmaat; Fer, Lens, Guzman; Persie, Depay
Wales' Projected Lineup (4-1-4-1): Hennessey; Taylor, Collins, Gabbidon, Gunter; Huws; Vaughan, Ledley, Allen, Kanu; Easter
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