Netherlands advances to the semi-finals after penalty shoot out
The Dutch might have taken 20 shots on the Costa Rican goal but in the end it took a penalty shoot out for them to banish a stubborn and resolute Costa Rican side in Sunday's (Jul 6) quarter finals.
It was after 120 minutes that coach Louis van Gaal pulled an audacious move by using his last substitute to bring on Tim Krul to replace first choice goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen just for the penalty shoot out.
It paid off though, as Krul dived the right way to save penalties from Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz and Michael Umana to send the Dutch into celebrations.
Krul saving Ruiz's spot kick.
Krul saving Umana's spot kick.
Van Gaal said after the match: “Every keeper has specific qualities and we felt that he had a better reach, and a better track record to stop penalties”
The penalty drama came after a long duel where the Netherlands dominated but just couldn't put the ball into the net, including this remarkable set of play deep in the second half.
The in means that they will meet Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup on Thursday (July 10).
Source: AFP, YouTube
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