3rd place game for Netherlands is pointless as the coach said. Prizepool for the World Cup is as follows.
- US$8 million – To each team eliminated at the group stage (16 teams)
- US$9 million – To each team eliminated in the round of 16 (8 teams)
- US$14 million – To each team eliminated in the quarter-finals (4 teams)
- US$20 million – Fourth placed team
- US$22 million – Third placed team
- US$25 million – Runner-up
- US$35 million – Winner
To play for 2 million dollars while tiring yourself for a match that's not even for the trophy, is pointless. If it was Olympics, then at least you have an incentive to play for, which is for the bronze. But for FIFA World Cup, top 4 gets respected and known. Especially for country like Netherlands where they're one of wealthiest nations per capita, and players getting paid a lot, $2 million dollars is really not worth staying around.
Only reason why this game is being held is because FIFA makes money off this. It's really pointless as both sides won't play their best or as well as they did when they had something to play for, which was a World Cup trophy.