Cody Gakpo flattered by transfer talk as Netherlands train for Qatar clash - in pictures

Dutch forward has scored two in two games going into Tuesday's match against host nation

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk during training at the Qatar University in Doha on November 28, 2022, on the eve of their World Cup match against Qatar. AFP

Netherlands midfielder Steven Berghuis at training. AFP

Netherlands defender Tyrell Malacia controls the ball. AFP

Netherlands defender Daley Blind during training. AFP

Netherlands defender Jeremie Frimpong. AFP

Steven Berghuis during the Netherlands training session in Doha. AFP

Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons. AFP

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal oversees training, while Frenkie de Jong and Stefan de Vrij take part in stretching exercises. Reuters

Netherlands' Frenkie de Jong and Stefan de Vrij. Reuters

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal and assistant coach Edgar Davids with the players during training. Reuters

Netherlands' Virgil van Dijk and Nathan Ake during training. Reuters

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal with Jeremie Frimpong and Xavi Simons at training. Reuters

Netherlands players stretching at training. Reuters

Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk. AFP

Netherlands' Tyrell Malacia, Denzel Dumfries and Noah Lang. Reuters

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal. Reuters

Netherlands' Xavi Simons and Jeremie Frimpong during training. Reuters

Netherlands' Vincent Janssen, Memphis Depay and assistant coach Edgar Davids during training. Reuters

Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal oversees training. Reuters

Netherlands' Tyrell Malacia, Denzel Dumfries and Noah Lang. Reuters

The Netherlands are looking to secure top spot in World Cup Group A on Tuesday when they take on hosts Qatar.

Louis van Gaal's team have yet to hit anything like top gear in their opening two games despite coming away with four points after beating Senegal 2-0 and drawing 1-1 with Ecuador.

The big plus point for the Dutch has been highly rated PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo, who found the target in both matches, including a brilliant finish against the Ecuadorians on Friday.

His form in Qatar has reportedly attracted the interest of English Premier League clubs and the 23-year-old admitted he is flattered by the speculation.

“My focus is on the World Cup but it is always nice to hear stories like that,” Gakpo said. "I’m trying not to think much about that. I try to do my best … to help the team.

“The coach [Van Gaal] is very demanding. He always tries to trigger me to become a better player. I am very grateful for that. I am not surprised about my performance. I know what I am capable of.

“At the moment I am a PSV player and the focus is on the national team. We’ll see what will happen. In football it can go crazy, but as it is now, I will still play at PSV after the World Cup.”

The Oranje need only to avoid defeat against already-eliminated Qatar to be sure of a place in the knockout phase.

Van Gaal – who is in his third spell as Netherlands manager and oversaw a third-placed finish at the 2014 World Cup – has been critical of his team’s play in terms of ball possession in the last two games, and said he was looking for an improvement on that front on Tuesday.

But he was defensive of his players overall, saying: “By and large they have performed really well in the squad for us and I’m just assuming that will continue to happen.

“I try to make sure every player reaches his full potential, and I’m quite successful. We are unbeaten for 17 matches and if you look at the goal difference, I think that we deserve some respect.”

In the gallery above you can see images of the Dutch squad preparing for Tuesday's game at Al Bayt Stadium against the host nation. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or swipe if using a mobile device.