ello and welcome to coverage of the third place playoff between Brazil and the Netherlands.
Things don't quite go to script for the Brazilians who were emphatically swept out of the World Cup by Germany, while the Dutch were ousted in penalties by the Argies.
Can the host country pick up their tatted emotions to at least take third? Or will van Gaal out fox them from the bench and turn the bronze medal Orange?
We bring you live streaming written commentary, video highlights (be sure to refresh your browser) and all the action. VIDEO will be available as soon as the final whistle goes.
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LIVE COMMENTARY…
Brazil 0 – 2 Netherlands
49 min: One-two between Robben and Blind puts the winger away, but his shot is blocked by the sliding Maicon.
47 min: Julio Cesar gets a cheer from the crowd as he uses fancy footwork to turn away from the on rushing RVP. He might have conceded a heap of goals, but good to know the fans still like him.
Second half, 46 min: Brazil go to the bench and bring on Fernandinho to replace Luiz Gustavo.
HALFTIME: The two sides head to the sheds with the Dutch up 2-0. I'm gonna make myself a cuppa tea and I'll see you back in ten minutes.
43 min: Seems like all of Brazil's chances are coming from set-pieces as Vlaar hacks down Ramirez. This one is more central to the posts and has numerous players standing over it...Oscar takes it and it doesn't clear the wall.
41 min: RVP warms the hands of Julio Cesar with a half volley from outside the box. The keeper got down smartly to hold the shot.
39 min: Kuyt is down getting treatment for a blow to the back of the head. It looks quite odd as he's down on all fours and the doctor is standing over him like he's riding a horse...Anyway, he'll continue.
35 min: Oscar is winning numerous free-kicks for his side, but they need to create something from one...AND THEY ALMOST DO! It is flicked on by Luiz Gustavo at the front post and rolls across the face of the goal. Nobody could get a touch and the Netherlands survive.
33 min: It's not all bad for the Brazilians who were down 5-0 by this stage in their last game.
32 min: A cheer roars up as Brazil pour forward in attack. Maicon is pulled down on the elbow of the box. Another dangerous spot for a free-kick...Oscar over it again...Great ball goes through everyone and Wijnaldum gets the last touch to flick it away for a corner...which is then cleared.
27 min: Brazil with a chance on the side of the box. Oscar stands over it as the referee marks on the disappearing spray...Five in the penalty area and Jo flicks his header wide of the area. Wasn't ever gonna threaten Cillessen, but at least they have a shot registered.
22 min: Neymar is on the Brazil bench in full kit...no he's not made some miraculous recovery to come on, he's just playing mascot...Although, you could argue, a broken Neymar would be more dangerous then what Brazil is working with at the moment. The home side yet to get a shot away.
18 min: Things have gone dead silent in Brasilia. The Brazilian fans have seen the side concede nine goals in the last two matches...and there is still 70-odd minutes to play!
16 min: GOAL NETHERLANDS! David Luiz' clearing header falls right to Blind who smashes it into the net! Another horrible moment for Brazil, and more so Luiz! His clearing header fell right on the penalty spot for a wide open Blind.
13 min: Oscar showing some sharp touches. For me, he's probably the one Brazilian player who hasn't embarrassed himself at this tournament (other than the injured Neymar).
10 min: A pretty open start to the match. Both teams made it seem like they weren't interested in playing this one, but they are certainly looking to create.
7 min: Robben booked for pulling back on Paulinho. The crowd love that one. Robben gets up and gives the referee a wry smile.
4 min: Brazil almost respond as Ramirez is inches away from getting on the end of a cross into the six yard box.
3 min: On second look, that definitely should have been a red card for Silva. Last man and Robben was away on goal.
2 min: Thiago Silva pulls down a pacy Robben in the box! Terrible start! That easily could have been a red card, but the referee gives him a yellow. GOAL NETHERLANDS! van Persie smashes the penalty past Julio Cesar and the Dutch lead 1-0.
KICKOFF - And the Dutch (in blue) get things started.
- As for Scolari, could this be his last match in charge? His contract expires after the final, and the crowd reaction suggests he doesn't have many fans left. As for the Dutch, Sneijder pulled his hammy in the warm up and will be replaced by de Guzman. Van Gaal will be in charge of the Dutch for the last time as he gets ready to take over at Man Utd after the tournament.
- Here we go! Can Brazil get up and snatch third? They have made six changes to the starting side with a World Cup debut for Maxwell on the left. Fred and Hulk are out of favour and Jo will be tasked with getting the goals.
We will start commentary shortly with kickoff set for 8am (NZT). In the meantime check out the latest 442 episode as the 3News team catch you up on all the World Cup action.
Teams:
Brazil: Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Paulinho, Oscar, Maxwell, Ramires, Luis Gustavo, Willian, Jo, Maicon.
Netherlands: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Van Persie (c), de Guzman, Robben, Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum.
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Pre-match banter:
By Andy Scott
Neymar has urged his Brazil team-mates to rescue some of their battered pride after their humiliating World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany by beating the Netherlands in Sunday mornnig's third-place play-off in Brasilia.
It is the one game that no team ever wants to take part in, but the encounter at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium took on extra significance after the hosts' dream of lifting the trophy at the Maracana was ended by their record 7-1 semi-final loss against the Germans.
Neymar missed that match after fracturing a bone in his back in the quarter-final win against Colombia, but the 22-year-old superstar faced the media as he called for Brazil to bow out on a high.
"It was unbelievable, inexplicable. We had the opportunity to write our names into history in a positive manner, and we failed," he said of the Selecao's embarrassing loss, their heaviest World Cup defeat.
"We haven't had a good campaign. We were consistent, which is why we reached the semi-finals, but we didn't play the kind of enchanting football associated with Brazil.
"Now we need to approach Saturday's game as if it were the final and finish the World Cup smiling, with a victory. It is not going to lessen the pain, but it is important."
AFP
Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Live-updates-Brazil-Vs-Netherlands---Football-World-Cup-2014/tabid/415/articleID/352460/Default.aspx#ixzz37I5upQkX
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