Louis van Gaal says Netherlands’ World Cup squad numbers were picked based on age
Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that he decided the players’ shirt numbers based on their age.
Without giving away his preferred first XI for the World Cup, the Dutchman opted to hand out the shirt numbers in order of what age the players are.
By way of example, the oldest, goalkeeper Remko Pasveer will wear the No 1 shirt in Qatar, with the rest going down by their birthdate.
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Van Gaal said: “In general I discuss that with the players, not now. I gave the players a number that fits their age.”
He was then asked by reporters if he was joking. “That's no joke. I never tell jokes at a press conference, I explain how I did that. That has to do with age, that's why I give that answer.”
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Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk has been handed the No 4, whiled midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Teun Koopmeiners have been given Nos 21 and 20, respectively.
Despite the former Manchester United boss’ words, there are still some numbers that seem to have aligned with how the side will line up – as PSV winger Cody Gakpo will wear No 8, and attacker Steven Berghuis has been given the No 11 jersey.
Van Gaal was also quizzed about the Dutch fans who are boycotting the World Cup over human rights concerns.
He added: “They are right to do that, but I hope we play so well that at the end of the tournament when we play the final, they'll be watching on TV how good we are.
'We have to play the World Cup in the most experienced football countries.“
The Dutch national side kicks off their Group A campaign against Senegal on Monday.
1 – Remko Pasveer
13 – Justin Bijlow
23 – Andries Noppert
2 – Jurriën Timber
3 – Matthijs de Ligt
4 – Virgil van Dijk
5 – Nathan Aké
6 – Stefan de Vrij
16 – Tyrell Malacia
17 – Daley Blind
22 – Denzel Dumfries
25 – Jeremie Frimpong
11 – Steven Berghuis
14 – Davy Klaassen
15 – Marten de Roon
20 – Teun Koopmeiners
21 – Frenkie de Jong
24 – Kenneth Taylor
26 – Xavi Simons
7 – Steven Bergwijn
8 – Cody Gakpo
9 – Luuk de Jong
10 – Memphis Depay
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