Louis van Gaal is backing the Dutch supporters over the Qatar’s human rights (Picture: Shutterstock)
Louis Van Gaal has backed Dutch supporters’ boycott of the World Cup but hopes they will feel able to enjoy his team’s performances in Qatar.
One survey found only 14 per cent of respondents in the Netherlands were interested in following the competition due to human-rights concerns, even though Van Gaal views his team as potential world champions.
On supporters refusing to watch, Van Gaal said: ‘They are right to do that but I hope we play so well that at the end of the tournament when we play the final, they’ll be watching on TV how good we are.
‘I believe we don’t have the best players on earth in our team, but I believe in team building and in tactics.
‘I believe we can go far, but we also need luck, that is also important. Because of that and because I believe in imagination we could be the world champion at the end of the tournament.’
Former Manchester United boss Van Gaal has again criticised the decision to award the Gulf state the tournament having called it ‘ridiculous’ in the past.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
‘You have to play in football countries,’ said the 71-year-old of Qatar, a country with a population of less than three million, struggling to accommodate fans from around the world.
‘This is also a small country. My family and friends have a lot of difficulties to find a place.
World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
World Cup 2022: Start date, schedule, teams, kick-off times and TV
All the key dates and times for England World Cup 2022 matches
Every World Cup 2022 home and away kit released so far
England 1966 World Cup team: Who are they and where are they now?
Which Premier League players will miss the World Cup with injury?
When does the Premier League resume after the World Cup?
Read the latest World Cup news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
‘But the organisation and the pitches and everything, the facilities, are very good.
‘The training pitch we have could not be any better. The hotel and organisation has been fantastic. I am really looking forward to the tournament but it is more important that my players feel the same way.’
MORE : Hole spotted outside Qatar World Cup stadium that will hold final match
MORE : Where to watch the Qatar World Cup 2022 in London
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
14% of those in Netherlands plan to follow the tournament due to human-right concerns.