Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal blasted FIFA for its refusal to scrap the World Cup’s third-place game, insisting that the consolation match should be consigned to history. VanGaal’s Dutch side will be forced to play host nation Brazil in Brasilia on Saturday after losing its semifinal to Argentina, 4-2, on penalties after 120 scoreless minutes.
“I think thatthis match should never be played,” Van Gaal said after the Argentina game. “I have been saying this for the past 10 years. We will just have to play the game but it is unfair. We will have one dayless to recover and that’s not fair play. But the worst thing is, I believe, there is a chance that you lose twice in a row in a tournament in which you’ve played so marvelously well. You go home as a’loser’ because possibly you’ve lost the last two matches.”
He added: “This game has nothing to do with sports in my opinion. But I have said this 10 years or 15 years ago and nothing changed.No tournament, no football tournament, especially in the last stage, should you have players playing for third or fourth. There is only one prize and one award that counts for anything and that isbecoming champion.”
Louis, if you don’t like it, then don’t enter a team. There is no surprise here. In fact, it appears that you have known this for well over a decade. You are demoralizing your side before they even step on the pitch. I had no idea that you were such a defeatist. Well, so much for the illusion of professionalism you are bringing into ManU…
Wow. If he really thinks it’s that meaningless, why worry about one day less of rest? Why not just sit the tired ones and trot out a fresh 11? I’m sure there are many players in his squad who would jump at the chance to actually play in a World Cup game.