
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has labelled Brazil as βjust a counter teamβ despite their convincing 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday evening.
Titeβs side turned on the style as they raced to a 4-0 lead after just 36 minutes, in the second half, they produced a professional performance to see out a 4-1 win, with Seung Ho Paik on the scoresheet for South Korea.
The first half from Brazil was described by many as the best performance of the World Cup so far.
However, speaking ahead of the Netherlandsβ quarter-final clash against Argentina, manager Van Gaal played down Brazilβs performance.
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βYes, a counter team. But then I had to read in the Dutch media how beautiful it was!β the 71-year-old said.
βBut it was just a counter team! South Korea only went out to attack.β
In another interview with ESPN, Van Gaal reiterated his point.
βBrazil play the same football as us: counter football, starting from a compact defence,β he continued.
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βAnd yet my friends in the [Dutch] media say itβs sparking football while we do the same!
βOur goal [against USA] was much more beautiful than any of theirs. Ours was a team goal! Twenty passes all in high tempo.β

Van Gaal also outlined a potential weakness in Lionel Messiβs game that his team can exploit.
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The former Manchester United boss said: βMessi is the most dangerous creative player, he is able to create a lot and to score goals himself.
βBut when they lose the ball and the opponent has possession he doesnβt participate much, and this gives us chances.β
Whilst Messiβs former Barcelona teammate, Frenkie de Jong said: βWell, I know him but I donβt know how to stop him. Heβs been making the difference for 15 years and there is not one way to stop him.β
Netherlands and Argentina will face off on Friday at the Lusail Stadium. The winner of that match will face either Brazil and Croatia in the semi finals.
Topics:Β Louis Van Gaal, Netherlands, Brazil, Football, Football World Cup