Kees Kwakman explains Van Gaal’s ‘masterstroke’ at goal Gakpo: ‘He is always there’


Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at 10:51• Tom Rofekamp • Last update: 10:57

Kees Kwakman believes that Davy Klaassen’s role in the opening goal against Senegal should not be ignored. According to the analyst, the Dutch substitute demanded so much attention that Cody Gakpo was released to head in the 0-1. “Klaassen is always there,” said Kwakman World Cup talk on ESPN.

For a long time, the Dutch national team seemed to be heading for a 0-0 draw in Doha, until Gakpo took care of the liberation five minutes before the end. “The running action was beautifully timed, a really beautiful goal”, says Arnold Bruggink. “This is normally a ball that he gives himself”, presenter Vincent Schildkamp refers to Frenkie de Jong’s previous assist. Kwakman adds that Gakpo knew that De Jong had the ball, as the PSV attacker stated afterwards in front of the camera of the NOS.

However, the analyst also wants to emphasize the importance of a teammate. “And Klaassen, hey, he is always important in that. Because he was also in the sixteen with Memphis, so Senegal had to make choices and Gakpo is released. He (Klaassen, ed.) is always there.” Klaassen, who came in for Steven Bergwijn for 79 minutes, provided the final chord deep into injury time. With that, he gave the Netherlands the lead in Group A.

Finally, Kwakman baptizes the opening goal ‘a Luuk de Jong goal’. “It was perhaps a moment in the game when you already expected Luuk de Jong”, Schildkamp responds, who then cites Van Gaal’s explanation why he did not choose to bring in a traditional pinchhitter. “He said ‘I know that Gakpo also has that feeling of getting there’. It’s almost annoying to say, but he was right about that too,” said Schildkamp.