BRASILIA - After Brazil's utter humiliation against Germany, anything less than a win in tomorrow's third-place match against an indifferent Netherlands team would deepen the gloom hanging over the World Cup hosts.
Kickoff is at 10pm.
Brazil's astounding 7-1 semifinal thrashing by rampant Germany ended their dream of winning a sixth World Cup, and a first on home soil, and plunged the nation into despair.
Although third spot would be scant consolation for many, the match at the national stadium is one Brazil, and under-fire coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, must take very seriously.
By contrast, Scolari's Dutch counterpart Louis van Gaal, whose side exceeded many people's expectations by reaching the last four, has said the third-place game was pointless and that too will ramp up the pressure on the hosts.
Savaged in local media after the Germany match, Scolari labelled the semifinal disaster the worst day of his life and he and his staff are widely expected to step aside after the tournament whether they beat the Dutch or not.
"We have a deal ... until the game on Saturday [tomorrow] and after that, probably, we will have a conversation to sort some things out," Scolari said.
"I will continue with my life, the players will also continue to be winners and we must continue."
Van Gaal also came in for criticism after his side, who began the tournament by thrashing holders Spain 5-1, failed to score in either their quarterfinal against Costa Rica or Wednesday's semifinal against Argentina.
Van Gaal told a news conference the third-place game "should never be played. "There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champion."
Why Brazil have to win play-off match
BRASILIA - After Brazil's utter humiliation against Germany, anything less than a win in tomorrow's third-place match against an indifferent Netherlands team would deepen the gloom hanging over the World Cup hosts.
Kickoff is at 10pm.
Brazil's astounding 7-1 semifinal thrashing by rampant Germany ended their dream of winning a sixth World Cup, and a first on home soil, and plunged the nation into despair.
Although third spot would be scant consolation for many, the match at the national stadium is one Brazil, and under-fire coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, must take very seriously.
By contrast, Scolari's Dutch counterpart Louis van Gaal, whose side exceeded many people's expectations by reaching the last four, has said the third-place game was pointless and that too will ramp up the pressure on the hosts.
Savaged in local media after the Germany match, Scolari labelled the semifinal disaster the worst day of his life and he and his staff are widely expected to step aside after the tournament whether they beat the Dutch or not.
"We have a deal ... until the game on Saturday [tomorrow] and after that, probably, we will have a conversation to sort some things out," Scolari said.
"I will continue with my life, the players will also continue to be winners and we must continue."
Van Gaal also came in for criticism after his side, who began the tournament by thrashing holders Spain 5-1, failed to score in either their quarterfinal against Costa Rica or Wednesday's semifinal against Argentina.
Van Gaal told a news conference the third-place game "should never be played. "There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champion."
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