Van Gaal met with explosive response as Netherlands star axed from World Cup

Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen is reportedly fuming after being overlooked for the Netherlands World Cup squad.

The shot-stopper, who has 63 caps for his country, is the headline omission from the squad picked by Louis van Gaal. Cillessen did not hold back when he was informed of his snub by the former Manchester United boss and reacted angrily to the news, as per Dutch outlet AD.

Cillessen was not in his country's squad for Euro 2020, when Frank de Boer was in charge, due to a bout of coronavirus, but hoped to be included this time round. The 33-year-old moved clubs in the summer, leaving Valencia to return to his homeland to play for NEC as he sought to put himself in the shop window.

But Van Gaal has opted against picking the goalkeeper, citing his lack of form as he justified his decision. He said: "Cillessen has not been in shape in recent weeks and I think the World Cup is now and not in five weeks when he has trained with me and Frans Hoek. Form is a very difficult concept."

The 71-year-old added: "It is only natural that he is disappointed. Everyone reacts to this in their own way. I can imagine something with that. Cillessen was the most experienced goalkeeper and has always delivered with me."

The three goalkeepers named in the Netherlands squad only have a combined eight caps. Remko Pasveer, at 39, has two caps, but is Ajax's No.1. Justin Bijlow at Feyenoord has six caps whilst Heerenveen shot-stopper Andries Noppert is yet to play for his country.

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Van Gaal, who led the Netherlands to the semi-finals at the World Cup in 2014 and is enjoying a third stint in charge, has outlined what he looked for when he picked his Dutch squad as they look to win the tournament for the first time. "It is important to me whether someone has delivered to the Dutch national team," he added.

"Two is the form of the player when a selection takes place and three is that we are now going to a tournament where people are together for five weeks. And so it is not always the case that the best player is chosen, but the best team player, in my opinion, because we have to continue together for five weeks."

Three Premier League stars have been selected, with Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Tyrell Malacia set to be major players for their country. Ajax have provided seven players, more than any other club, with Jurrien Timber and Steven Bergwijn among them. Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo and Matthijs de Ligt are also set to play big roles.

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