2014 FIFA World Cup Third Place Game: Brazil vs Netherlands match preview

Brasilia: Both the Netherlands and Brazil are ready to officially bid the World Cup farewell as they fight for pride and third place. The Selecao are looking to shake off their miserable defeat against Germany whereas the Oranje are looking to get the most out of the competition which they sought to win since the first day.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team failed to win the trophy in their own turf and instead awoken plenty of ‘Maracanazo’ memories – perhaps even worse this time. Fortunately though, the hosts will be having captain Thiago Silva back on board who is expected to bring some sort of order in the mess that Brazil call defence. The team’s star Neymar will of course not be competing but Dani Alves could be returning in the starting lineup.

The Netherlands are fortunate enough to have all hands on deck for this match where one could assume that they are not at all indifferent as they have always aimed for the best possible outcome ever since thrashing title holders Spain. Louis Van Gaal might make a few changes in formation by bringing right-back Daryl Janmaat in and probably benching Nigel De Jong. Manchester United striker Robin Van Persie is expected to start up front and Arjen Robben could cause plenty of trouble for Brazil’s defenders should they play like last Tuesday.

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Brazil 0 Netherlands 0, International Friendly, June 2011

Netherlands 2 (Sneijder 2) Brazil 1 (Robinho), World Cup, July 2010

Netherlands 2 (Roberto Carlos og, Zenden) Brazil 2 (Roberto Carlos, Cafu), International Friendly, October 1999

STATS

Both sides have faced a total of nine times where the respective teams count two wins each.

Last Tuesday’s 7-1 thrashing marked Brazil’s biggest World Cup defeat and the Selecao’s first competitive loss at home in 39 years.

Brazil became the first team ever to concede five or more goals by half-time in a World Cup semi-final match.

Luiz Felipe Scolari lost his first ever World Cup match with Brazil last Tuesday.

The Netherlands’ semi-final defeat to Argentina means that the team has lost both of their semi-final World Cup shootouts. The Oranje’s last defeat occurred in 1998 against Brazil.

This will be Louis Van Gaal’s very last match with the Netherlands national team before he joins Manchester United. He is set to be replaced by Guus Hiddink, who in return will have former Red Devils’ striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy as his assistant.

ODDS

Brazil to win: 2.15

Netherlands to win: 3.4

Draw: 3.7

CLASSIC MOMENT/MATCH

The 2010 World Cup quarter-final match between those two sides will forever be remembered by midfielder Felipe Melo as he headed the ball behind Julio Cesar’s net after a cross by Wesley Sneijder and then stomped Arjen Robben, which led to a straight red card.

^{*Source: independent.co.uk}