Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal has confessed he is surprised by the amount of praise Brazil are receiving for their efforts during the World Cup.
Van Gaal actually made the bold claim that he feels the Oranje play in a similar way but receive less credit. Netherlands have actually faced some criticism for their style of play by sections of the Dutch media, clearly much to the manager's frustration.
The former Manchester United boss did not stop there; he continued by quashing the Selecao's achievements after they thrashed South Korea 4-1 in the last 16 on Monday night. Brazil's third goal was scored by Richarlison after some impressive, intricate passing between central-defensive duo Marquinhos and Thiago Silva in the build-up.
Despite this, Van Gaal has claimed Netherlands' opening goal during their 3-1 win over United States on Sunday was a superior team move. It featured some one-touch passing before Denzel Dumfries played the crucial final ball to goalscorer Memphis Depay.
Van Gaal told ESPN : "I also saw a piece of Brazil yesterday, they actually play the same football as the Dutch national team. They play from a compact defense and switch very quickly.
"The strange thing is that I then read in the media - from my friends - that it was sparkling football, while we also did that. We also scored that way. The goal was much nicer: that was a team goal. That rises above everything.
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"That is the best moment of this World Cup. 10 times overplayed at high speed, it was really a super goal.''
Van Gaal will be hoping for more of the same when his players take to the field next, as they have a quarter-final date with Lionel Messi's Argentina on Friday evening.
Armed with the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner - the greatest player of all time in the eyes of many - Argentina are likely to come into this game as favourites, but Netherlands will relish having a point to prove under a fantastic motivator like Van Gaal.
The two nations met relatively recently at the 2014 Brazil World Cup, where Argentina knocked out the Oranje via a penalty shootout at the semi-final stage.
Van Gaal is out for revenge and added: "We are already in the quarter-final, Argentina is of course the country that eliminated us last time via penalties. We still have a score to settle.''
A win for the Dutch would certainly ease some of the criticism surrounding Van Gaal.
