The Netherlands have advanced to the semi-final of the World Cup after a scoreless draw against Costa Rica went to a penalty shootout.
The underdog did all they could to give themselves hope of advancement, but in the end Costa Rica’s dream World Cup run was cut short, 4-3 on penalties.
FINAL SCORE:
Netherlands 0
Costa Rica 0
Netherlands won 4-3 on penalties.
The customary battle of David and Goliath comes in the form of the Netherlands and Costa Rica, who will face each other at Salvador for a spot in the World Cup semi-finals. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00am AEST.
Neither the Netherlands nor Costa Rica considered this scenario as remotely plausible.
The Dutch have always had designs on the World Cup title, having failed at the final hurdle three times, but Oranje would never have thought it would be Costa Rica in their way at the quarter-final stage.
As for Los Ticos, if escaping a group with three former champions in Uruguay, Italy and England was one thing, surviving for 60 minutes with 10 men to defeat Greece via penalty shootout was another.
The Netherlands will start undoubted favourites, boasting the form attacking force in the tournament. The performances of Robin Van Persie against Spain, Arjen Robben against Australia, and then finally Wesley Sneijder’s solo rescue act against Mexico exemplify the weight of challenge Costa Rica’s defenders are likely to confront. With 12 goals in four games, the Dutch faithful can be confident of a team willing to play aggressive football.
However, the weakness lies in Oranje‘s superiority masking potential frailties in their other areas of their team. With both Australia and Mexico causing sufficient scares to the Dutch on their way to the quarter finals, coach Louis van Gaal may be tempted to temper the attacking mindset to focus more on the quintessential Dutch trait of total football – keeping the ball and interchangeable passing to eventually wear down their opponent.
Having already achieved their greatest ever result in a World Cup, Costa Rica can approach this game with gay abandon at what else they may achieve. While an element of luck can be always be factored in during penalty shootouts, Los Ticos‘ ability to keep out a ravenous swathe of Greek attacks in their round of 16 clash exemplifies the unity surrounding this team.
Given the Dutch attacking threat, Pinto may opt to focus on keeping spaces compact between the midfield and defence, with a high pressing line to rob Netherlands of possession. From there, the counterattacking abilities of Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell will be Los Ticos‘ main outlets to effectwhat would be the Central Americans’ greatest achievement so far.
The Netherlands can rightly be considered favourites, but as Uruguay, Italy and England can attest, that counts for nothing against Costa Rica.
Jason Cave
Guest
Can't see the Netherlands winning this, mainly due to the problem of how to keep one player from the Argentine side under control, and to make sure he doesn't exert enormous influence in the second semi final. That player, of course, is Lionel Messi.
Radelaide
Guest
What's a 'welt kup'. :)
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Hoera! Fantastische overwinning door het oranje. Nooit gedacht dat ze zouden scoren en was bang van het verliezen op strafschoppen. Meesterzet van van Gaal naar keepers te wisselen. Hopelijk Holland eindelijk kans op een Welt Kup, ze zijn een van de beste landen nooit hebben gewonnen een. [Google Translate]
bob's uncle
Guest
the vid doesn't work
Stevo
Roar Rookie
The game had boredom, excitement, panic, elation, devastation, heartbreak - so many different moods, so hard to work out who was going to win. Interesting recent article by Greg Baum of the Melbourne Age (who's been in Brazil for the WC) who said that the AFL 'doesn't get' the idea that a sport doesn't have to be constant 100% action to be gripping. The burgermeisters at AFL keep changing rules to make sure that the game is played at the speed of light, non-stop. It doesn't have to be that way to be entertaining. Light and shade, ebb and flow - just like a good book or movie.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Seriously hoping RVP can rediscover his form from the Group Stages! He's been a bit 'MIA' in the last two games...
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Oh, I am!
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I agree 100% with everything you said. I might add that Sneijder & Robben had fantastic games, and should have scored several times. That was the second poor game from RVP in a row, he'd better get back to his early form for the next game!
ciudadmarron
Guest
Really disagree about the lifeless nature of the game. The commentator kept banging on about it but I found the dutch on the attack and the costa rican efforts to nullify quite entertaining.
Griffo
Guest
I was thinking yesterday that Netherlands have played in 3 finals and lost each time, to West Germany, Argentina and Spain. In this tournament they have beaten Spain, they will have to beat Argentina and if they do that they may come up against Germany in the final. They might beat the 3 countries they've lost to in finals to win the world cup.
Radelaide
Guest
Van Gaal = tactical genius, man U fans will be happy.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Absolutely brilliant composure by the Dutch in penalties. Van Gaal genius substitution with Krul. The Dutch had several good chances and were the better team by far. Van Persie was very poor and will be a relieved man after blowing two golden opportunities. Congrats to Costa Rica on a great tournament. Any of the Final Four can definitely win this, very wide open. Go ORANJE
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Talk about a slow burner. Thats what you have to love about football. What was turning out to be a dull boring match ended up being one of the best finishes to a match. What a crazy game.
Pat Malone
Guest
12 favourites out of 12 in the knockout stage
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
What a match it was. The first 80 minutes could go into the World Cup archives of the most lifeless football seen at the history of this tournament (no hyperbole there). But the last 10 minutes of normal time, 30 minutes of extra time, and the penalties were some of the absorbing play in this tournament. In the end, it is the Netherlands who will breathe freely after surviving this stern Costa Rican challenge. The Netherlands will meet Argentina at Sao Paulo on Thursday morning. They play for a spot in the final on July 14 at Rio, where they will play the winner of Germany and the hosts Brazil. That semi-final will take place on Wednesday morning. I will be back to bring you the action on Thursday morning between Argentina and the Netherlands. Until then, what a morning! It has finished Netherlands 0 (4) Costa Rica 0 (3), and that Netherlands advance to the semi finals
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: The Netherland shave done it in the most difficult way, but they have done it! Say what you want, but it was a superb set of penalties from the Dutch. What a change by van Gaal to bring on Tim Krul, but it was superb penalties all from the big Dutch guns of van Persie, Robben, Sneijder and Kuyt. Costa Rica, take a bow. You have given this tournament a lot of heart and desire, and leave with heads held firmly high.
SVB
Guest
The Dutch deserved it.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
How good were the Dutch penalties.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
What a substitution by Louis van Gaal! What superb saving by Tim Krul!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That was cruel again. Great substitution. Krul a hero!!!