PORT ELIZABETH: Brazil star Kaka said on Friday that nobody was sadder than the players after the five-time champions crashed out of the World Cup to Holland.

"There are many people who are sad in Brazil - but nodody is sadder than we are," said Kaka, who failed to find his top form throughout the tournament.

Robinho gave the Brazilians an early lead in Port Elizabeth but a Felipe Melo own goal and a Wesley Sneijder clincher sent the Dutch through to the semi-finals.

Kaka said the whole tournament had been tough for him.

"It was a complicated World Cup, the way I arrived," said Kaka, who came to the tournament having suffered a thigh injury which marred his season at Real Madrid following his 65 million-euro signing from AC Milan.

He was then unjustly sent off against Ivory Coast in the group phase and although he managed three assists he was unable to show himself to be quite the force that a Brazilian number ten is expected to be, the shirt having legendary status having been worn by Pele.

"I did all I could - I fought, I battled, I really tried," insisted Kaka.

"Unfortunately, expectations are always sky-high in Brazil in that people expect us to win the title and when we don`t that creates frustration,¨ said the playmaker.

Kaka said that Brazil finally ran out of steam after a bright opening half saw Robinho put them ahead.

"Just little things made the difference - a couple of set plays which brought the two Dutch goals."

Kaka, like his teammates, was unwilling to discuss whether he might still have a leading role to play in the 2014 tournament in Brazil, which last hosted the event in 1950, when they lost the final to Uruguay.

BDST: 0254hrs, July 3, 2010