Van Gaal axes Netherlands star from World Cup squad after tests refusal

Louis van Gaal has told Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul that there is no future for him in the international set-up after he snubbed a training request.

The Norwich City keeper, who has 15 caps for his country, has not been selected for the latest squad but is still in the frame for the World Cup in two months' time. He was invited to take part in specialist penalty practice with the other shot-stoppers at the Dutch team's training base this week - but declined.

That has seen Van Gaal quash any chance Krul had of making the squad for Qatar with the former Manchester United boss declaring "that is the consequence of his decision".

The Dutchman said: "Krul called me to tell me that he will pass. I thought it was a shame, because I know that he stops the most penalties in terms of statistics. There is no future for him at the Orange, because he did not want to come. That is the consequence of his decision.

"I've always thought that you can train a penalty kick. Not the moment and the pressure, but you can automate your process and that gives confidence. I have convinced the boys that they can do something with it, that players at the club will train for penalties. You cannot change the training policy at their club, but you can request them to practice their own penalty kicks."

Krul has previous when it comes to being a hero in shootouts, dating back eight years to the World Cup in Brazil. The Netherlands, then coached by Van Gaal, made the semi-finals, eventually losing to Argentina. However they saw off Costa Rica on penalties in the last eight.

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The Netherlands swapped their goalkeepers minutes before the end of extra-time with Krul coming on to replace Jasper Cillessen. Krul was seen as a penalty specialist and produced to save twice in the shootout with Van Gaal hailing the decision.

He said: "We thought it through. Every player has certain skills and qualities and they don't always coincide. We felt Tim would be the most appropriate keeper to save penalties. You would have seen that Tim dived to the right corner twice. We're a tiny bit proud this trick has helped us through."

Van Gaal's latest Netherlands squad includes four goalkeepers, one of whom is Cillessen, with Ajax's Remko Pasveer also among those picked. The 1974 and 1978 World Cup runners-up have been placed in Group A for the upcoming tournament alongside Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar.

They get their tournament under way against Senegal in Al Thumama on November 21.

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