Van Gaal confident of Euro 2016 qualification

Louis van Gaal feels history is on the Netherlands’ side as they bid to qualify for UEFA Euro 2016.

The 1988 champions have been drawn in Group A alongside Czech Republic, Turkey, Latvia, Iceland and Kazakhstan, with the top two qualifying automatically for the finals in France.

And Van Gaal, who is set to leave his position as head coach following this year’s FIFA World Cup, is confident Netherlands will have no problems in making it out of the group.

“History has taught us that most of the time we have beaten these opponents,” he said.

“The Oranje should be able to qualify for the final tournament automatically.”

And Latvia boss Marians Pahars echoed those comments, stating his belief that the Netherlands were capable of comfortably winning the group, but was hopeful of qualifying for the finals, which have seen the number of participating nations increased from 16 to 24.

“Netherlands are the favourites in our group – they can win any competition they play in,” he remarked. “We will do our best to make our fans happy by making it to the finals.”

The best third-placed side will also be guaranteed a place in the finals, while the remaining third-placed teams will enter a round of play-offs.

Czech Republic coach Pavel Vrba added: “Some other groups may look relatively easier, but when I took charge of the national team I said that there is no aim other than to qualify.”