1) Entertainment Value:
Involved in the competitive nature of the sport, some of us fans forget that we watch the beautiful game because of how entertaining it is. The third place play-off has proved to be very entertaining in recent years. In 2010, Germany beat Uruguay, 3-2 in a highly entertaining end to end affair. In 2006, Germany beat Portugal, 3-1, in a very open contest. In 2002, Turkey beat South Korea, 3-2. In 1998, Croatia beat Netherlands, 2-1.
2) A matter of pride for many nations to end their World Cup efforts with medals:
The third place play-off has been played with great spirit down the years and Brazil should do the same. Even the Germans, much bigger fans of winning the Cup than taking the medals, contested this game with pride in 2006 and, to a certain extent, 2010. Also, Brazil will do well to remember that the Netherlands knocked them out of the 2010 World Cup, beating them 3-2.
Louis Van Gaal will want to close his book as Dutch national team coach by taking home some medals before heading to Manchester United. He has made some unsavory comments about this game according to the Yahoo Soccer:
"I think that this match should never be played. I have been saying this for the past 10 years."
"We will just have to play the game but it is unfair. We will have one day less to recover and that's not fair play. But the worst thing is, I believe, there is a chance that you lose twice in a row in a tournament in which you've played so marvelously well. You go home as a 'loser' because possibly you've lost the last two matches."
Van Gaal's fear of heading out following two defeats is legitimate; he will want to head to England with his head held high.
Arjen Robben was even more straightforward about this match according to the Huffington Post:
"They can keep it."
"Only one prize counts and that is becoming world champion."
Robben and Van Gaal are perhaps being a tad disrespectful towards this match.
3) Robben’s claim for Golden Ball and Memphis Depay's claim for Best Young Player Award:
Arjen Robben has been nominated for the Golden Ball; he is widely regarded as the one player who has singlehandedly dragged his side to the semifinal stage of a World Cup. Indeed, Robben has been outstanding. Another good performance in this match might earn him the Golden Ball his talents merit. Also, Van Gaal can play Memphis Depay in this match to help him stake his claim for the Best Young Player Award after putting in some very convincing performances earlier in the tournament.
4) Netherlands have never claimed third place:
The Dutch can perhaps decide to alter the record books by winning this match; they have after all never won third place at a World Cup. Also, Van Gaal and his assistants (including Danny Blind as he is set to continue after the World Cup) need to prove that they still believe in this Dutch team, that they see a step forward for them in four years time. With a win, the Dutch can prove they have a somewhat promising future to look ahead to, even when Robin Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, Nigel de Jong and Arjen Robben step down.
5) A nation in mourning has the chance to sing for their team one last time:
Brazil is the host nation; being the hosts, no matter how unceremonious their exit from the tournament, is special. Brazil can leave with medals, thus somewhat putting the events against Germany behind them. They simply cannot leave this World Cup empty handed.
Also, following Tuesday's exit, talk of their dependence on Neymar was going to come about. Brazil though can prove against a battle hardened European team that they are much more than just Neymar, Thiago Silva and nine others.
