Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says having to complete a World Cup third-place play-off match is “unfair”.
The Dutch, who lost their semi-final to Argentina on penalties on Wednesday, face Brazil – humbled 7-1 by Germany – in Brasilia on Saturday.
“This match should never be played. I’ve been saying that for 10 years; it’s unfair,” said Van Gaal, about to take over at Manchester United.
“There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champions.”
The third-place play-off was introduced at the second World Cup finals in Italy in 1934 but has become unpopular with the teams.
Van Gaal added: “The worst thing is that there is a chance you are going to lose twice in a row.
“And in a tournament in which you have played so marvellously well you go home as a loser.
Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has an even harder job of lifting his side for the game after their humiliation by Germany.
His future as national team coach will be decided after the tournament. “I know my career will be marked by this defeat but we have an obligation to move on, thinking about the next goal, which in this case is the match for third place in Brasilia.
“I know it’s a much smaller dream than we all wanted but we have to honour the shirt of the national team,” Scolari said.
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