Day 7 of World Cup: What are players and coaches talking about?

For an update on teams back in action on Day 7 of the World Cup, let’s hear from some of the principals. No writer could say it any better.

“If my boys are happy, then I am happy.”

--Netherlands Coach Louis van Gaal, explaining why he intended to allow wives and girlfriends of his players to stay overnight Tuesday in the team hotel prior to the match with Australia. Van Gaal, noting his interest in the “psychological state” of players, had arranged for significant others to be dropped off by a yellow bus on the eve of the team’s 5-1 win last week over Spain.

“If we don’t win, we go home. And the consequences will be brutal.”

--Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas, succinctly summing up the pressure on his team entering a match with Chile after being thrashed by the Dutch.

“I am hoping the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my dear, beautiful country.”

--Samuel Eto’o, Cameroon’s venerable striker, whose knee injury is expected to keep him out of a win-or-else game with Croatia.

“Do people really need to watch us without our underpants?”

--Croatia striker Ivica Olic, whose distracted team refused to deal with the media after paparazzi photos of some naked players chilling in the team hotel’s hot tub were published.