Van Gaal wary of Group B opponents Chile
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is wary of FIFA World Cup opponents Chile and has revealed he once tried to sign Arturo Vidal.
In a tough Group B, 2010 finalists Netherlands will face reigning champions Spain, Chile and Australia.
Van Gaal's side meet Chile in their final group-stage match on June 23, a game that could prove crucial to both sides' hopes of making the last 16.
Chile will be familiar with the surroundings in Brazil and can present the Dutch with a real test according to Van Gaal, who said he has been a long-time admirer of Vidal.
"They (Chile) have very dangerous players," Van Gaal said.
"For example I wanted always to buy (Arturo) Vidal. He was also a player of Bayer Leverkusen, at that time I wanted to buy him for Bayern Munich but he went to Juventus.
"So I like a lot of players and they are playing always an attacking, pressing style and I like that.
"It shall be very difficult for the Netherlands but we have confidence in the three games we have to play."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Netherlands open their World Cup campaign with a rematch of the 2010 final when they face Spain on June 13.