Beaten, battered Brazil must get something from the ‘nothing’ game

If Brazil and Holland had their way, both teams would have not featured in today’s third place playoff game.

Brazil as record five-time winners see no pride in playing for third place.

That is way below their standard. “That is a nothing game,” says Alberto Barea, a taxi driver in Rio.

Holland, despite not winning the World Cup, are a world-acclaimed football power.

Competing in a match whose winner finishes third just doesn’t make sense according to their coach.

“I think this match should never be played,” Van Gaal said on Wednesday night after losing to Argentina.

“There is only one award that counts, and that’s being world champion.”

Brazil will be less inclined to play a game they must honour because they are obliged to.

Dismantled 7-1 by Germany in the most shameful result in the history of their national sport, the team has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism from their fans, the media and past greats such as Rivelino and Romario.

Best loser

News about the Selecao has thinned as the week has progressed, with the emphasis now on Sunday’s final.

The fans can’t wait to see the end of the tournament. “The World Cup ended on Tuesday night for me,” explained taxi driver Barea.

“I will take my children to the cinema on Saturday. It is a better way to spend the day than watch Brazil playing for the right to finish as a best loser.”

No kind of performance against Holland will make up for Tuesday’s scandalous humiliation. That will likely be Luiz Felipe Scolari’s last match as Brazilian coach – his opposite Louis Van Gaal is stepping down to manage Manchester United.

A host of Brazilian players will also most likely wear the Selecao shirt for the last time. If selected, Fred will play his 40th and final match for Brazil.

Although he hasn’t retired or dropped a hint on quitting the international game, the extraordinary ridicule he has attracted from Brazilians makes it unlikely he will ever be called up again.

The likes of Maicon and Julio Cesar are at the end of their national team careers with Brazil set for a complete renaissance.

Scolari could opt to play a number of reserves to give them a World Cup run out such as Jo, Henrique and Willian.

Van Gaal has used 22 of his 23 players at the tournament with only Michael Vorm, the third choice goalkeeper, yet to play.

Unlike Brazil, Holland will fly out of Brazil with their heads high despite failing to reach the final after a shoot-out defeat to Argentina, who play Germany in the final Sunday.