Robin van Persie: 'Netherlands need to finish top'

Robin van Persie has insisted that the Netherlands must push to finish top in Group B at the World Cup in order to avoid a last-16 meeting with Brazil.

The host nation are the favourites to top Group A, while the Dutch side need a draw in their final group game to ensure that they will face the runners-up in the knockout stages.

The captain, who is suspended for Monday's clash with Chile, told reporters: "I feel it's better for us to finish top of the group and face the better teams later in the tournament, with all due respect to the rest of the teams in the competition.

"We just have to come first and see what happens because Brazil play after our game. We will just see what happens and take it from there."

Chile and the Netherlands are both already through to the last 16, having won both of their matches so far.