AMSTERDAM
\nThe Netherlands will be testing their goalkeepers in a special penalty shootout training session this week with an eye on the World Cup later this year, coach Louis van Gall said on Monday.
\nHe has called up four goalkeepers for this week\u2019s Nations League clashes against Poland and Belgium as the Dutch look to finish top of their group and advance to the finals next June.
\nBut Van Gaal said a priority will be putting together the final touches for the World Cup in Qatar in November, where the Dutch play in Group A against the hosts, Ecuador and Senegal.
\nHe has invited an additional two more goalkeepers on Wednesday for a special penalty-stopping session, he told a news conference. \u201cI\u2019m looking for the best penalty killer and so we are testing all the goalkeepers,\u201d he added.
\nVan Gaal made a name for himself at the 2014 World Cup when he changed goalkeepers minutes before the end of extra time of their quarter-final tie against Costa Rica in Brazil.
\nHe took off Jasper Cillessen and brought on Tim Krul, who then made saves in the penalty shootout to ensure a Dutch victory.
\n\u201cI\u2019m always looking for the little advantages and that\u2019s why I\u2019m giving this issue special attention,\u201d he told reporters.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen in the past how penalty shootouts play a big role at the World Cup.\u201d
\nVan Gaal said he would pick four goalkeepers in his 26-man squad for the World Cup if allowed. \u201cI\u2019m not sure yet because FIFA haven\u2019t given us clarity on this issue but I think it\u2019s logical to do so.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AMSTERDAM The Netherlands will be testing their goalkeepers in a special penalty shootout training session this week with an eye on the World Cup later this year, coach Louis van Gall said on Monday. He has called up four goalkeepers for this week\u2019s Nations League clashes against Poland and Belgium as the Dutch look to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":284601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-284571","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n