HOLLAND are facing a major World Cup panic ahead of their last-16 clash against the USA.
That’s after Louis van Gaal revealed his concern at a potential VIRUS tearing its way through his squad.
The former Manchester United boss delivered the grim news just a day before his side’s crunch clash against Christian Pulisic and Co.
Dutch media claim many players are suffering from coughs, sore throats and runny noses.
And despite it being labelled everything from a virus to just a cold, Van Gaal told reporters on Friday: “If this goes around in the group, then it is worrying.”
Frenkie de Jong confessed to feeling under the weather shortly before Holland’s draw with Ecuador last week.
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And he was joined by Marten de Roon ahead of Tuesday’s win over Qatar, with the anchorman speaking to reporters in a nasal voice.
It’s believed the air conditioners, cooling people down from the 30C Qatar heat, could be to blame.
Man Utd and Brazil star Antony slammed the constant cold blast for giving him a “cough and bad throat.”
And even USA boss Gregg Berhalter admits he and several of his players have been suffering.
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Responding to Van Gaal’s news, he said: “We all suffer from that here.
“I even felt very bad for a few days. That’s really because of those air conditioners.”
Meanwhile, Van Gaal hit back at critics of his pragmatic playing style.
And the ex-Man Utd boss insisted he was not changing his ways for anyone.
Van Gaal declared: “In 2014 it was exactly the same. No different. The media was very negative, so exact same thing now. Same old.
“I’m used to it and my players are also used to it so we are calmly going to continue on the path we’ve embarked on.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
