World Cup 2022: Van Gaal Risks Wrath of Brazil Fans with Bold Claim

• Louis Van Gaal claimed he is surprised by the praise Brazil has received at the World Cup
• Brazil are touted as one of the favourites of the competition and face Croatia in the quarters
• According to the Netherlands boss, the Brazilians and Dutch play the same type of football

Netherlands coach Louis Van Gaal risked the wrath of the Brazilian bloc, after fiercely criticising their national team despite a decent run at the Qatar World Cup.

The former Manchester United boss made the bold claim that Brazil play almost similar to the Netherlands, but the Oranje receive less praise.

The Selecao thrashed South Korea 4-1 on Monday night, but the result seemingly did not impress Van Gaal too much, as he boldly claimed Heung-Min Son and his teammates had relegated Brazil to counter-attacks.

"I've seen them; that's just a counter team," Van Gaal said as quoted by Daily Mail. "I read in the Dutch media that it was sparkling, but that is just a counter team. South Korea has only attacked."

Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?

Football

Van Gaal was recently criticised by sections of the media for his team's style of play, with some terming it 'boring'.

However, the Dutchmen went through to the last 16 unbeaten and saw off the USA 3-1 in the last 16.

According to LVG, he did not understand how Brazil gets praise for playing similarly to his side, while the Netherlands are lambasted.

"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.”

Netherlands to renew Argentina rivalry

Meanwhile, the Netherlands will be hoping to make it to the last four of the World Cup, but they will have to get past Argentina in the quarters.

Germany eye World Cup redemption as Spain, Croatia kick off

Football

It is an age-old rivalry between two nations that are familiar with each other, but La Albiceleste have had the edge in recent years.

France land incredible record

Sports Brief also reported on France’s feat at the World Cup, becoming the first defending champions to win a knockout game since 2006.

After Italy claimed the Mundial in Germany 16 years ago, some believe there is something of a curse on champions at the tournament.

Interestingly, Italy defeated France in 2006 when they last won the World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane getting a red card in that game after headbutting Marco Materazzi.