This article was first published 11 years ago

World Cup Quote Hanger: 'We wanted to play and the Netherlands didn't'

June 24, 2014 10:09 IST

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Image: Head coach Jorge Sampaoli of Chile reacts
Photographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

"They ended up winning, but in my opinion it was unfair because I think Chile made a huge effort to attack," coach Jorge Sampaoli told reporters.

"We wanted to play and the Netherlands didn't."

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A powerful and pacey Netherlands side beat Chile 2-0. But Chile complained that the Dutch team were unnecessarily negative, knowing a draw was enough to win the group.

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Image: Louis van Gaal
Photographs: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

"You have got to develop a strategy that will let you win," he said, taking exception to a reporter's question about his tactics. "We are not giving much away and we are creating opportunities.

"This is being confirmed by the results, if it wasn't then you'd chop off my head, I'm sure of it."

But his Dutch counterpart Louis van Gaal said the end justified the means, having seen his players frustrate Chile and reduce them to a single shot on target all game, and that from a tight angle.

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Louis van Gaal Chile
Image: Arturo Vidal of Chile
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

"Brazil has been a nightmare for us, but our football keeps changing, the generations keep growing and it's brought out the best of Chile," Arturo Vidal said.

Chile's best result at a World Cup came on home soil in 1962, when they finished third. In 1998 and 2010 they reached the last 16, only to exit at the hands of Brazil on both occasions.

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Brazil Arturo Vidal Chile
Image: David Villa of Spain (left) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Juanfran
Photographs: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

"If it were up to me, I would play all my life for Spain. It's more likely it will end here but we'll see," man of the match Villa told a news conference.

David Villa, who is heading for the MLS next year via a stint at Melbourne City, got the chance to make what was probably a farewell appearance.

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Image: Vicente del Bosque
Photographs: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

"This time it was our turn to lose and I think we go out with our heads held high," Vicente del Bosque added, saying he will make a decision on his future once he gets home.

Veteran striker David Villa helped to fire Spain to a comfortable 3-0 win over Australia on Monday to ensure that the deposed champions left Brazil on a winning note after a miserable World Cup.

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