Brazil’s defender Thiago Silva (L) and Brazil’s injured forward Neymar react at the end of the third place play-off match against Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup at the National Stadium in Brasilia on Saturday. (AFP)
Brazil captain Thiago Silva issued an apology on behalf of his team after their World Cup campaign ended with a 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands in Saturday’s third-place play-off in Brasilia.
“It is a moment of great sadness, because we tried everything and didn’t get the outcome we dreamed of. It is difficult to go home and say to your family: ‘Sorry, I didn’t manage it’”, he said after the defeat to the Dutch, which came just four days after their 7-1 demolition at the hands of Germany in the semi-finals.
“It is difficult, because we have to lift our heads and cool down a little. Psychologically everyone is down, but I think life has to go on. Life does not end here.”
Silva missed the Germany debacle due to suspension but endured a difficult return to the side at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium, conceding a penalty for a foul on Arjen Robben inside two minutes. He was fortunate not to be shown a straight red card by the Algerian referee, but saw Robin van Persie net from the spot to set Holland on their way to a convincing victory. “I can only apologise to the people. The switch-off against Germany really aggravated the end of our World Cup. Today’s (Saturday’s) defeat was definitely a consequence of what happened in the last match.”
However, he added: “There were lots of positives, not everything was a disaster. “But we need to evolve, yes, tactically, technically, physically, to have success in the future. It seems as if 2018 (the next World Cup in Russia) is a long way away, but the journey will begin soon.”