The Netherlands were very disappointing in their last game with Ecuador. A 1-1 draw was kind on Louis van Gaal’s men as the South Americans should have buried at least one other chance they had in the second half. After beating Senegal in solid – yet unspectacular – fashion in their first match, it was a big downgrade from the Dutch.

Qatar, after losing both group games so far, are out of the competition already, so there is only pride left to play for as they welcome the Netherlands in a clash that will at least get players and fans excited at the prospect of playing of Europe’s leading lights at a World Cup.

The Qatar squad are known for being quite technical players, but there is a lack of physicality amongst the team to get the better of a European nation. The Dutch are already heavily fancied to get three points in this one, but you can expect van Gaal to make a few changes here to freshen things up and pick at Qatar’s weaknesses.

According to reports and the player himself, Memphis Depay is set to start this one, which will be a delight to Netherlands fans who desperately want to see their main man regain fitness ahead of the knock-out rounds. Fans have also been calling for the likes of Xavi Simons, Tyrell Malacia and Jeremie Frimpong to start this time, which would offer the energy, youthfulness and pace that the team is crying out for. Expect at least a couple of new faces in the starting eleven as van Gaal rotates his squad.

Pace and passion was something missing from the last Netherlands match, and van Gaal will be looking to remedy that here. Three points are required to qualify for the last 16 and finish top of the group to avoid a potential meeting with England in the next round. The players are also aware that a much better performance is expected after lacking in so many areas against Ecuador, such as controlling the possession and dealing with Ecuador’s stressful press in their own half. The Netherlands will win this one, but they will need to convince their supporters against a tougher opponent in the next round to reassure that they can go far in this competition.