Netherlands defender Daley Blind has praised the team's youngsters following Saturday's third-place playoff win over Brazil at the World Cup.

Blind, 24, scored his first goal for the Dutch last night as they eased past the host nation 3-0 in Brasilia.

"The young players we have are exceptional," he told FIFA.com. "They are really good. If somebody stops playing, then somebody else stands up and I think it's always going to be like that.

"We'll have to see what's in the future but I hope we stick together."

Blind has now scored one goal in 19 appearances for the Dutch national side.