Overview
- On Wednesday Cody Gakpo said the Netherlands must be wary of Alexander Isak after the striker returned from injury and scored in Sweden’s 5-1 win over Tunisia.
- The Dutch opened the group with a 2-2 draw against Japan and now need a victory in Houston on Saturday to improve their chances of advancing from Group F.
- Gakpo said the squad will study Sweden’s setup and make a specific game plan to create more chances against a side whose forwards looked dangerous in the first match.
- Off the field Gakpo described a Christian prayer group of about 11–12 players that he says has helped bond the team, and he framed the national-team environment as a fresh start after a disappointing season at Liverpool.
- Isak’s return from an ankle injury that included a fibula fracture and his late-season fitness for Liverpool are central to Sweden’s threat, and those facts shape how the Dutch coaching staff are preparing defensively.