Louis van Gaal. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
THE DUTCH CAMPAIGN to qualify for next year’s World Cup suffered another blow after coach Louis van Gaal fell and injured his hip, Dutch media reported today.
Van Gaal, 70, cycled to his hotel after a training session ahead of the team’s crucial qualifier against Norway on Tuesday when the accident happened.
“Van Gaal was parking his bicycle at the hotel when he slipped and landed on his hip,” De Telegraaf said.
Advertisement
“A visit to the hospital confirmed he did not need surgery,” the paper said, but a Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) official told the paper “Louis can’t walk and is in a wheelchair.”
He will do everything he can to make Tuesday’s game,” the official said.
Van Gaal, sometimes nicknamed the “Iron Tulip” for his no-nonsense approach to coaching, arrived at Monday’s training session in a golf cart.
🤕 Staand trainen en coachen zit er voor bondscoach Louis van Gaal even niet in na een val op zijn heup...
Toch is hij vandaag wel aanwezig bij de training, in een golfkarretje met Henk Fraser als chauffeur. pic.twitter.com/S3WNsUFr9k
Van Gaal’s injury is the latest blow in the Netherlands’ quest to get to Qatar.
The team captained by Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk squandered a 2-0 lead on Saturday against Montenegro after the hosts equalised with two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game, robbing the Dutch of a guaranteed ticket to Qatar.
The Dutch still head Group G but are just two points ahead of Turkey, who thrashed Gibraltar 6-0 on Sunday.
The Orange face Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday in the final round of matches while Turkey travel to Montenegro.
If the Dutch beat Norway, they will be assured of a place in Qatar and even a draw could see them through, but they could be eliminated if they lose, missing out on a second successive World Cup finals.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Van Gaal injures his hip in bike accident, Dutch boss forced to watch training from golf buggy
THE DUTCH CAMPAIGN to qualify for next year’s World Cup suffered another blow after coach Louis van Gaal fell and injured his hip, Dutch media reported today.
Van Gaal, 70, cycled to his hotel after a training session ahead of the team’s crucial qualifier against Norway on Tuesday when the accident happened.
“Van Gaal was parking his bicycle at the hotel when he slipped and landed on his hip,” De Telegraaf said.
“A visit to the hospital confirmed he did not need surgery,” the paper said, but a Royal Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) official told the paper “Louis can’t walk and is in a wheelchair.”
Van Gaal, sometimes nicknamed the “Iron Tulip” for his no-nonsense approach to coaching, arrived at Monday’s training session in a golf cart.
Van Gaal’s injury is the latest blow in the Netherlands’ quest to get to Qatar.
The team captained by Liverpool central defender Virgil van Dijk squandered a 2-0 lead on Saturday against Montenegro after the hosts equalised with two goals in the last 10 minutes of the game, robbing the Dutch of a guaranteed ticket to Qatar.
The Dutch still head Group G but are just two points ahead of Turkey, who thrashed Gibraltar 6-0 on Sunday.
The Orange face Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday in the final round of matches while Turkey travel to Montenegro.
If the Dutch beat Norway, they will be assured of a place in Qatar and even a draw could see them through, but they could be eliminated if they lose, missing out on a second successive World Cup finals.
© – AFP, 2021
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dutch hospital visit Injured Louis van Gaal Netherlands World Cup qualifier