NETHERLANDS v MEXICO: Proud Netherlands coach Van Gaal expects tough Mexican showdown

By Lars Reinfeld, dpa

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is proud of what his players have achieved so far at the World Cup and expects a tough showdown with Mexico in the last 16 on Sunday.

"My wish was to be at the World Cup once," he told a news conference Saturday. "Now it is about winning, and so far we have done that well.

"The players are very open to our (the coaches) ideas. I am very proud of how the 23 players here have worked so far. We have a great team, great togetherness."

With the Netherlands boasting a 100 per cent record so far, including a thrashing of reigning champions Spain and a tactically astute victory over Chile, there is confidence in the Dutch camp.

But Van Gaal insisted Mexico would provide a difficult challenge for his team.

"Mexico is similar to Chile, though Mexico has a better team overall," he said. "In the Chile side there were two top players who were dangerous...Mexico is a more balanced team. That makes them a greater danger."

Van Gaal refused to be drawn on the formation he would employ for the game, saying that no coach would divulge his plans before such a match.

The decision to change from the traditional Dutch 4-3-3 method to a 5-3-2 shape for the tournament has brought both goals and victories despite not being universally popular back home.

"We are normally accustomed to a different system," Van Gaal explained. "Players based abroad as well. We had only three weeks for this system that has made the team strong."

In Saturday's training session, Augsburg full-back Paul Verhaegh, took the place of Daryl Janmaat to play with the probable starting eleven.

Bruno Martins Indi has recovered from a concussion sustained in the group match with Australia, but he is not being considered for a recall just yet.

"Bruno has trained but that does not mean that he can compete in these extreme conditions," Van Gaal told a news conference. "He will start on the bench."

In addition to the Mexicans, the humidity in Fortaleza remains a concern for the Dutch. Van Gaal hopes the referee will take this into consideration but if not the Netherlands players will have access to bottles placed round the pitch.

"It is a lot warmer than in Rio," said Leroy Fer. "But we think we are very well prepared."

Fer, who opened the scoring against Chile with a header from a corner, may also miss out of the match with a slight muscle strain picked up in training. That minor blow has not dampened the optimism of Van Gaal.

"The coach told me I must be fit against for the final and head a goal," Fer said.