Louis van Gaal shrugs for cancer fight as he relishes fact that his party has sidelined the US

The video had 3.3 million views at last count since it was posted late Saturday night.

Returning to their hotel, the merry Dutch players came out dancing and singing and cheering and enjoying their performance to reach a World Cup quarter-final.

Luckiest of all, however, is the man who came up with the campaign. Louis van Gaal highlights this 35 second clip with his enthusiasm and enthusiasm.

In the seventy-year marches to the sounds ‘Waka! Waka!’ – Shakira’s song for the 2010 World Cup.

However, since Van Gaal would be there, there should be more and it showed, as he put an arm around some of the local gents and did a bit of goofing off. It’s a joyful scene, a reminder that life should be enjoyed at every opportunity.

Van Gaal was on top form after the Netherlands swept the United States 3-1 to set up a quarter-final with Argentina and even planted – in his words – ‘a big, big kiss’ on the cheek of man- of-the-match Denzel Dumfries at the end of the press conference.

What makes it all so poignant is the fact that Van Gaal, 71, has been battling prostate cancer.

It has been a demanding year, one that has tested his health and emotions, but he has ensured that his personal circumstances have never affected his team.

The Netherlands reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar with a 3-1 victory over the US

“Of course it’s in the back of our minds,” explained Daley Blind, who scored the second goal and created the third for Dumfries. “From the first moment we knew nothing about it.”

He did everything he could to keep it hidden from us. He even went to the hospital at night, so as not to show the team what he was going through.

“We have so much respect for how he is dealing with this disease right now. But he’s as sharp as usual. He is Louis van Gaal and he will never change. What you see is what you get. He is a great personality and we are very happy to have him with us. He always knows how to inspire players. It’s in the back of our mind (his health) but we don’t need extra motivation. We play for our coach and we want to go as far as possible.’

The former Manchester United manager filmed the warm reception and hugged hotel staff

How things would have turned out if Christian Pulisic had seized a glorious opportunity in the second minute is hard to say, but the Netherlands, whose first goal was a fine 20-pass scored by Memphis Depay, are starting to find their stride.

“There is still a long way to go, but I think we can do even better,” said Manchester City’s Nathan Ake.

“The further we get, the more people will talk about us, but we have to focus on ourselves and go as far as we can.”