Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal believes USA have 'one of the best teams' in the competition ahead of today's World Cup last-16 tie. Leeds United's Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson will be looking to help the US progress to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in 20 years at the Khalifa International Stadium this afternoon.
Adams has been one of the tournament's stand-out players so far and has earned several plaudits from pundits and across social media. The 23-year-old has covered the most distance and leads the competition in tackles, replicating his form at club level on the international stage.
Despite that, Netherlands remain the favourites to reach the last eight but van Gaal revealed in his pre-match press conference that he is in no way 'downplaying' USA, and is on the contrary expecting a 'very tough match'.
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He said: "I know from experience that matches against countries such as the United States and Australia, who we encountered at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, are always very difficult. They are very fanatical and sharp on the ball.
"USA have demonstrated they have an excellent team, I would even say one of the best teams. A team that is fine-tuned, it's going to be a very tough match but it's nothing that we can't overcome.
"We also have a very good team in my view. We will have to wait and see in this match which of the two squads is the best but I am not going to downplay team USA.
"On the contrary I think they are an example of what a good team is supposed to be and there are also countries that have progressed who are not a good team. But they do have excellent individual quality."
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