Louis Van Gaal is hitting all the right notes at the moment. Some of the notes have sounded brilliant in the ears of everyone but high pitched to some of the senior figures of his side. This is because Van Gaal is set to play his team in a 4-3-3 formation instead of a 5-3-2. Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben enjoyed the freedom they were afforded by their coach (and admittedly, the Spanish defense and midfield) thoroughly, scoring for fun in their opening game. Their freedoms might be more limited though in a 4-3-3.
The reason Van Gaal is set to change the formation is quite obvious. Australia will not set up in the manner in which the Spanish did. They will be defensively much more solid. Despite conceding three against Chile, Australia put in a good shift and could have ended the match on even terms. Their performance does give them the right to believe that if a crucial decision does swing their way, such as an injury to a Dutch player or a red card, they could win the match.
Also, results of underdogs such as Costa Rica (3-1 against Uruguay) gives them plenty of reason to hope that they can indeed perform well against the Dutch. This is what Matthew Leckie had to say according to The Sydney Morning Herald:
"It's a weird game, it’s nothing like AFL where you know the top team's going to smash the bottom team. Anything can happen. It’s three games in a group stage. I’m sure [they] were going into that game thinking it was going to be an easy win, but Costa Rica got the win and Uruguay are on the back foot.”
The problem for the Socceroos is that belief just might not be enough against a Dutch side brimming with confidence. In Euro 2012, the Dutch played a monotonous brand of football which did not remotely resemble the Netherlands we have come to know under Van Gaal.
Also, they were tactically inflexible. By switching formations, Van Gaal is in fact making the Dutch versatile; he is trying to adjust the team according to the opponent. Previous Dutch teams might have stuck with a 5-3-2 and ended up in a hole against Australia. This team has a coach who knows adjustment is key.
Also, with all respect to Australia's previous opponents, Chile, the Dutch are a more talented side simply because they have three world beaters in Robben, Van Persie and Wesley Sneijder. These three are game changers and can settle any game with ease. On the bench sits Klaas-Jan Huntelaar; the Schalke forward is also a match winner.
While Australia does have the heart to compete, they might just not have the talent required to upend the Dutch at this point. However, if luck favors them, anything might happen in a World Cup which has already provided many shocks and surprises.
