Holland manager Louis van Gaal has commented that in his opinion, much worse than being thrashed 7-1, as happened to Brazil in the semis, is losing on penalties - which is what happened to his team when they were sent packing.

"The team is very sad, very sad; a dream was broken that will not return", he said in Brasilia, where Holland will face Brazil in the fight for third place in the World Cup championship.

Van Gaal's men crashed out of the World Cup in the penalty shoot-out after extra time, while Brazil were slaughtered by Germany seven goals to one.

"Our aim was to be number one; we all feel bad. To lose like that is terrible. It's better to lose 7-1, because at least you lose the game. We didn't lose the game, we lost on penalties, which is sad", Van Gaal lamented. He is to have his last game as manager of the Oranje prior to his move to Manchester United.

The Dutchman at least wants his men to walk away from the World Cup as the first Dutch team to do so without having lost a game in the tournament. "That must be our next objective. We must leave unbeaten", he said.

"I am disappointed; we came here with one objective and with the self-confidence to make it, and we have shown (that it was possible). We knew that we were not the team with the highest quality, but we knew we were the hardest to beat. I said as much before the tournament began. Not reaching the final is a real shame."