Netherlands coach criticizes third place match

I agree. I see no value in this game at all. It's not like the Olympics where you need to award a bronze medal for third place. The only reason I can think of is that FIFA wants to get more money from the attendance and TV rights.

I agree too. This is only going to rub more salt into inflicted wounds.

No need for this dead rubber, and if anyone gets injured it would make matters worse.

Hey! Netherlands accepted to go play in the World Cup, so they accepted the rules of the FIFA organizers. If they don't want to play for 3rd or 4th place (which is much better than 16th place, worldwide), I think they should have not signed up, OR,... they shouldn't have missed 2 penalties ! ! !

They are sore losers

And Van Gaal coach has the gall to say he has been telling FIFA to drop the game for 3rd place, and so what? Since when does his opinion over-ride FIFA?

All the Netherlands team has to do is to REFUSE to play the game for 3rd place worldwide, and presto: they win 4th place, and problem solved. That is how the USA won 3rd place long ago in the World Cup - another team defaulted in the game for 3rd place, and so USA won 3rd place.

The Dutch just weren't good enough, even though they had the advantage over Argentina on a rainy day and on a wet court. The Argentinian defense won the game (goalie and the full-backs).

So be it.

The Dutch just weren't good enough, even though they had the advantage over Argentina on a rainy day and on a wet court. The Argentinian defense won the game (goalie and the full-backs).So be it.

Wow I thought maradonna was the only nutter in Argentina...thanks I couldn't decide who to support, but I'll side with our sympathetic neighbours and the Brazilians now.. thanks!

Totally agree... it's not like there are medals at stake... no bronze medal for 3rd place. Only one game matters and that's the one for the trophy.

Not like the sport is dominated by cry-baby primadonas or anything..."salt in the wounds" Wtf?

All the Netherlands team has to do is to REFUSE to play the game for 3rd place worldwide, and presto: they win 4th place, and problem solved. That is how the USA won 3rd place long ago in the World Cup - another team defaulted in the game for 3rd place, and so USA won 3rd place.

In World Cup play, you don't "win" 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or even 32nd place. Those places were attained by losing. The ONLY match that has any meaning is the final one for the Cup. All the others are just designed to figure out which two teams will play for the Cup... with one exception: The 3rd/4th place match between teams that have already been eliminated from Cup competition. This match is useless. I take it back, this match has ONE use. It serves no purpose other than to allow FIFA to bring in some more advertising dollars at the expense of two demoralized teams.