Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal admits Memphis Depay enjoys a special status within the squad.

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal admits Memphis Depay enjoys a special status within the squad.
Van Gaal picked the Barcelona forward for the World Cup despite him not playing for two months because of a hamstring injury, but his selection is not a decision which has been questioned within the Netherlands set-up.
The 28-year-old played the final 28 minutes of their opening 2-0 win against Senegal, with his shot leading to the second goal.
And after that successful outing Van Gaal hopes to be able to stretch his involvement to potentially a full half on Friday against Ecuador, the other Group A side with three points.
"This is a player who is quite extraordinary and so I have set aside my principles because I consider him to be incredibly important for our team and that is why we did what we did," said the Dutch boss.
"I explained it to the players and I do all this for Memphis and the players are all doing it for Memphis and they accepted it.
"He was individual training in Amsterdam but for us he needs to train with the team and it is very important he gets used to that first.
"We have increased intensity and he has played 30 minutes now and isn't grappling too much with the issues so we are proceeding to the next step, which is 45 minutes.
"We are trying to extend that because the injury he had makes it so difficult to decide when he can start."
In his absence Cody Gakpo has stepped up, scoring the crucial first goal against Senegal.
The PSV Eindhoven forward, who is attracting the interest of some of Europe's top clubs, has only played 10 senior international matches but Van Gaal believes he has the potential to become a World Cup star.
"He is a player with a lot of talent and possibilities but he is young and he is still evolving," added Van Gaal.
"He has a lot of room for improvement and is a personality who will do everything it takes.
"Whether he will now become the star of the World Cup I can't promise you that, but it is possible. I know that for sure, he can become a star."
Ecuador's win over hosts Qatar was memorable for Enner Valencia, who scored both goals and was denied a hat-trick by VAR.
The 33-year-old limped off with a knee injury but is determined to play as if he scores again he will equal the all-time record of scoring in six successive World Cup matches currently held by Eusebio, Paolo Rossi and Oleg Salenko.
Manager Gustavo Alfaro said: "The tests showed that he doesn't have an injury but the trauma is very serious.
"I said the other day that not even fire could stop Enner. If it's up to him, he will play.
"Let's give it the benefit of the doubt and hope he responds well in training."

Louis van Gaal set aside his principles to select 'extraordinary' Memphis Depay

Marcus Rashford is eager to keep the goals ticking after netting a brace for England in their World Cup win over Wales.

Marcus Rashford is eager to keep the goals ticking after netting a brace for England in their World Cup win over Wales.
Rashford hit a stupendous free-kick and ended a mazy run by finishing through back-up goalkeeper Danny Ward's legs after Phil Foden had doubled England's lead in what proved to be a 3-0 stroll against their British rivals in Al Rayyan.
The forward told BBC One: "Moments like this, this is what I play football for. The biggest moments, the best moments.
"I'm really happy today, I'm happy that we're going through to the next round.
"Hopefully we can build on this performance because I have massive ambitions for this team and I think we can play even better than we showed today.
"It's obviously a great feeling.
"We were a little bit disappointed as a team after the last game against the USA (Friday's goalless draw).
"I thought we could have played a lot better and the only way to bounce back from that is to have a good performance in your next game and I think we did that.
"First half, we defended brilliantly, we didn't really give them any opportunities.
"And it was just about us killing the game off and taking the chances when they came."
On his free-kick opener, Rashford added: "I fancied one in the first half but the one in the second half was in a better position.
"And from there, it's just about being calm and trying to execute what you practice in training.
"They don't go in often but I'm pleased that it went in today."
Speaking about Rashford, Southgate told BBC One: "It's great for him. He's trained really well, I have to say.
"He's really been impressive since he came back in with us. He could have had a hat-trick really, the chance in the first half, the one at the near post in the second.
"The free-kick, that is what he's capable of, it's an incredible strike really."

Rashford: Scoring England brace is a 'great feeling'

Gareth Southgate said the "big business starts now" after Marcus Rashford's brace helped England reach the World Cup knockout phase and brought Wales' first World Cup appearance since 1958 to an end.

Gareth Southgate said the "big business starts now" after Marcus Rashford's brace helped England reach the World Cup knockout phase and brought Wales' first World Cup appearance since 1958 to an end.
The 104th meeting of the old rivals ended with last year’s European Championship runners-up wrapping up top spot in Group B on Tuesday evening at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Rashford's brilliant free-kick and fizzing strike came either side of Phil Foden’s goal in Tuesday's 3-0 triumph against Wales, who head home as England gear up for the last 16.
Their reward for topping the group is a clash with Senegal on Sunday and alcohol-free celebrations in Qatar, having toasted progress with a beer in Russia four-and-a-half years ago.
"We've got loads of milkshake back at the hotel," Southgate said with a smile.
"Everything is different, isn't it? We're embracing it. We love our base camp, the people that are operating the hotel are fabulous people. Really we couldn't be happier.
"We're enjoying each other's company and the players are really tight, so to this point we're very pleased.
"Of course the big business starts now, really."
Foden did his chances of a greater role on Sunday no harm in Al Rayyan, but it was Rashford who made the greatest case to start against Senegal.
The 25-year-old has three goals in as many games at this World Cup, with his goal off the bench against Iran coming on his first England appearance since missing his penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout.
Rashford struggled for form and fitness in the intervening period, but the Manchester United forward has kicked on impressively.
"It's been a challenge for him," said Southgate, who was unaware that the man-of-the-match's friend Garfield Hayward, to whom Rashford dedicated his goals, had died in the build-up to the game.
"I went and saw him in the summer, had a long chat with him and he had some clear ideas on things that he felt he needed to think about and to do.
"You can see with his club there's been happiness in his performances this year.
"And I have to say that's shown itself on the training ground all the time with us.
"We've got a different version completely to the player we had in the Euros last summer, so he's managed to produce those moments tonight.
"He could have had a hat-trick, really, with the chance in the first half and then the one at the near post towards the end.
"But great for him and because it's great for him it's great for us."

England focused on 'big business' against Senegal following Wales victory

United States star Christian Pulisic is confident he will be fit to face the Netherlands after sustaining a pelvic injury while firing his country into the last 16 of the World Cup.

United States star Christian Pulisic is confident he will be fit to face the Netherlands after sustaining a pelvic injury while firing his country into the last 16 of the World Cup.
Chelsea forward Pulisic claimed the only goal in Tuesday evening's winner-takes-all Group B clash with Iran in Doha.
The 24-year-old was hurt scoring the decisive 38th-minute strike after colliding with Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and did not return for the second half at Al Thumama Stadium.
Amid fears over his condition, Pulisic posted a positive update from his hospital bed ahead of Saturday's knockout clash with the Dutch.
His team later tweeted to say the player had been diagnosed with a pelvic contusion and would be assessed "day-to-day".
"So f***ing proud of my guys I'll be ready Saturday don't worry," Pulisic posted on social media.
Pulisic was unable to celebrate his goal, which secured the USA second spot in the group behind England, and stayed down for several minutes.
He appeared to hurt his leg and his torso as he flew into Beiranvand at full pace, with his face and neck also hitting the keeper's chest.
Pulisic was helped from the pitch by medics and then briefly returned before being replaced by Leeds' Brenden Aaronson at the break.
USA coach Gregg Berhalter had no news on the severity of the injury immediately after the match but heaped praise on his key man.
"No update (on his fitness), but it is a wonderful thing when one of your best players is one of the hardest working," said Berhalter. "And he is certainly that.
"I can't say enough positive things about Christian."

Pulisic confident he will be fit for Netherlands clash despite injury

Christian Pulisic fired the United States into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Iran at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar on Tuesday.

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Christian Pulisic fired the United States into the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1-0 win over Iran at the Al Thumama Stadium in Qatar on Tuesday. 
The Chelsea forward grabbed the only goal of the game in the 38th minute when he bravely stole in to convert a headed cross by Sergino Dest from point-blank range.
Iran summoned little in search of the equaliser that would have sent them through to a second-round clash with the Netherlands, with only a late diving header from Morteza Pouraliganji and a last-gasp VAR check causing American hearts to flutter.
The US dominated the opening period to such an extent that the only fear was whether they would live to regret a catalogue of missed chances as they once again lacked cutting edge in the final third.
Yunus Musah drove an early shot over the bar and a good Pulisic header was saved by Iranian keeper Alireza Beiranvand, who also scrambled clear from a Dest cross.
Exploiting plenty of space on the flanks, Dest was proving the major threat for the US whilst the Iranians, looking to make it through the group stage for the first time at the sixth attempt, offered little.
American woes in front of goal continued when Timothy Weah snatched at a header when unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, before the same player drilled another good opportunity over the bar.
Weston McKennie sparked the breakthrough the US deserved shortly before the break with a brilliant cross-field pass to find Dest, who deftly flicked the ball into the path of Pulisic.
Weah found the net but was judged marginally offside in the process, while the withdrawal of Pulisic, who had been injured in the process of scoring, suggested a long second half in store for Gregg Berhalter’s men.
Iran certainly carried more threat in the form of Brentford striker Saman Ghoddos, on for the ineffective Sardar Azmoun, and he had Iran's best chance in the 52nd minute when he met Ramin Razaeian's excellent right-wing cross with a header that flashed just wide of target.
After Pouraliganji's header, which went the wrong side of Matt Turner's right-hand post in the third of nine added minutes, the US also had to survive a late VAR check when Mehdi Taremi crumbled under the challenge of Cameron Carter-Vickers in the box.
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