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PREVIEW-Netherlands need to show they are not all talk

DOHA : After much posturing, the Netherlands now need to deliver if they are to fulfil their own prophecy at the World Cup, starting with the opening clash of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.

There has been much talk - all from the Dutch camp - of the team's potential to go all the way in the tournament in Qatar, principally from veteran coach Louis van Gaal, who enjoys a little mental coaxing and sparring.

But although they won their first round group, there was little evidence to back up their self-confidence as they stuttered through against Senegal, Ecuador and the Qatari hosts.

That will offer hope to the Americans, who will be underdogs for their last-16 clash but who have already offered up some proof of their potential in an unbeaten run in Group B, with draws against England and Wales and a gritty win over Iran to ensure their progress.

While the U.S. sweat on the fitness of star player Christian Pulisic - he has a pelvic injury and is being assessed daily, said the US Soccer Federation - coach Gregg Berhalter said his team would have no inferiority complex at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday.

"It's a great opportunity, but it's not something that we're going into it thinking is an honour," Berhalter said.

"We deserve to be in the position we're in. And we want to keep going. We don't want to be going home on Saturday.

"And from here anything can happen. All we need to do is play one game at a time. There's no need to even project how far this team can go,” added Berhalter, who has an intimate knowledge of Dutch football. The 49-year-old played in the Dutch league for three different clubs between 1996 and 2000.

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