3rd 4th Playoff Is Unnecessary

The 3rd 4th Playoff, is in the eyes of many, unnecessary and is a useless exercise that should be abandoned. Many has seen the 3rd 4th Playoff as a ridiculous idea – these are 2 sides that have lost and want nothing other than to crawl off into a darkened room and sit in the corner to cry.

This FIFA World Cup 2014, Netherlands and Brazil, beaten semi-finalists, will meet for a prize neither side is keen on winning. Netherlands manager believes that the game should never be played and Jose Mourinho thinks that they are a "very,very,bad idea.. They just want to go home and cry."

Fresh from the disappointment and humiliation of their semi finals defeat, Netherlands and Brazil would probably prefer a much needed holidays or much needed time to spend with their loved ones, rather than to be back on the football field. Instead, these teams are dragged back out in front of the crowd for a final time in a game dubbed meaningless by fans, coach and players alike.

However, there are cases in the past when teams embraced the opportunity for one final hurrah before leaving the World Cup.

For example, in 1994, a Sweden team exceeded expectations by making it to the semi finals and they treated the 3rd 4th playoff as an opportunity to celebrate their incredible run by striking 4 past a disinterested Bulgaria in the first half.In 1998, the newly-formed Croatia national team, playing in their first ever World Cup, were more than happy to make a final bow with a 2-1 third-place playoff win over Holland.

Yet, such cases are rare and are the exceptions. To say neither Brazil nor Holland will be treating the occasion with much relish is an understatement.

• Nothing whatsoever to do with sport’Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal has already made his feelings about the match clear.

He said, "I think this match should never be played. I've been saying this for 10 years. But we'll just have to play this match."

While some may say that Louis Van Gaal may have particular reason to end this FIFA World Cup campaign, given the fact that he is due to take the reins at Manchester United and will be eager to start work, it is true he has been campaigning for third-place playoffs to be scrapped for some time.

Van Gaal argues that, while little is gained from winning, the possibility of losing will only accentuate the stench of failure surrounding a campaign that might otherwise be seen as relatively successful.

"After a tournament in which you've played so marvellously well, you go home as a loser just because you've lost the last two matches. This has got nothing whatsoever to do with sport," he said.

"But I said this 15 years ago. You shouldn't have players play a match for 3rd 4th place, because there's only one prize that counts and that's becoming champion."

Netherlands and Bayern Munich forward Arjen Robben was equally dismissive of the chance to claim the third-place ‘prize’.

He said, "They can keep it. Only one prize, counts and that is becoming world champion."

But if Netherlands feel they have little to gain from Saturday’s game, their opponents Brazil have more to lose.

Some especially Brazil’s fans may see it as an opportunity at partial redemption after their 7-1 ruination at the hands of Germany – or the biggest humiliation in the history of Brazilian football.

Yet, losing by another big margin would surely heap further misery upon the team and fans alike.

• A much smaller dream’Brazil's Daniel Alves is well aware of the importance of avoiding that scenario – losing their final game - but still failed to muster much enthusiasm for the match.

The Brazilian right back said, "We represent millions of people, so we have to digest this defeat and go out onto the field on Saturday. But, for me, every game is about being first. The important thing is first place. Nothing else matters."

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has perhaps even more reason than Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal to be resentful at being forced to lead his team into battle once more.

Motivating a group of players to compete in a game they see as meaningless following such a soul destroying defeat can never be easy for a manager, but especially his future as Brazil’s coach is much at stake

Ahead of the game, Scolari gave one of the least convincing battle cries in sporting history.

He said, "I know my career will be marked by (the semi-final) defeat, but we have an obligation to move on and think about the next goal, which in this case is the match for third place on Saturday in Brasilia. I know it's a much smaller dream that we all wanted, but we have to honour the shirt of the national team."

Given the opinions of these players and coaches, it can be said that the 3rd 4th Playoff is unnecessary especially in such a major tournament - World Cup. Visit Us At SGSoccerPitches