‘Just a counter team’ – Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal dismisses Brazil despite South Korea rout

Louis van Gaal has played down Brazil’s sparkling performance against South Korea in the last 16 of the and says they are ‘just a counter team’ – much like his own, often-criticised Netherlands side.

The Selecao reasserted their credentials as pre-tournament favourites with a ruthless, free-flowing first-half performance in which Vinicius Junior, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta all got on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory.

For many it was the most impressive half of football produced by any team in so far, though Van Gaal – who has faced plenty of criticism in his homeland for his own side’s style of play – was decidedly less blown away and couldn’t help but notice the similarities with his own team.

Asked if he watched Brazil’s match, Van Gaal told NOS: ‘Yes, a counter team. But then I had to read in the Dutch media how beautiful it was!

‘But it was just a counter team! South Korea only went out to attack.’

The former Manchester United boss repeated that line in another interview with ESPN, saying: ‘Brazil play the same football as us: counter football, starting from a compact defence.

‘And yet my friends in the [Dutch] media say it’s sparking football while we do the same!

‘Our goal [against USA] was much more beautiful than any of theirs. Ours was a team goal! Twenty passes all in high tempo.’

Van Gaal was referring to the Netherlands’ opening goal against the United States in which his side patiently passed the ball around the back before suddenly springing forward with a flurry of one-touch passes before Denzel Dumfries’s low cross was fired home by Memphis Depay.

Next up, Holland will take on Argentina in Friday’s quarter-final and Van Gaal is relishing the contest, even suggesting Lionel Messi’s lack of work rate off the ball could be something they target.

‘Messi is the most dangerous creative player, he is able to create a lot and to score goals himself,’ continued the Dutch coach.

‘But when they lose the ball and the opponent has possession he doesn’t participate much, and this gives us chances [to exploit].’

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong knows Messi well from their time together at Camp Nou but was less convinced about his side’s chances of stopping the Argentine, telling ESPN: ‘Well, I know him but I don’t know how to stop him. He’s been making the difference for 15 years and there is not one way to stop him.’

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