15 June,2014 02:47 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Louis van Gaal's decision to allow players to spend time with WAGs before World Cup opener pays off
Robin van Persie with his wife Bouchra at an event recently
Manager Louis van Gaal's master plan to allow his Holland players spend time with their wives and girlfriends (WAG) did wonders to kick off their campaign on Friday.
Robin van Persie with his wife Bouchra at an event recently
The Netherlands crushed Spain 5-1 to hand World Cup holders their heaviest defeat since 1951.
According to a report in Mirror.co.uk, Van Gaal allowed the players' wives, girlfriends and families to visit them at their team hotel in Salvador twice before they faced Spain.
"My principle is the overall picture. The total person. The player. His brain and his psyche plays a part. And the psyche is influenced by his environment.
Dutch star Wesley Sneijder's wife Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen. Pics/AFP, Getty Images
"So on Thursday and this morning I gave permission for the wives to visit the hotel and so the players could be happy. But that doesn't mean this is the reason for our victory.
"I told the players I would make sure there would be points in time where the wives and families would visit them," van Gaal was quoted as saying by the website.
Meanwhile, star striker Robin van Persie was seen with his daughter during a training session in Rio de Janeiro, a day after their terrific victory over the World Cup holders.
