Netherlands 0(4)-0(3) Costa Rica: Netherlands Defeats Costa Rica in Shootout

After 11 airtight knockout-round matches at this World Cup, this game was supposed to be a walkover. Costa Rica had performed bravely to reach the quarterfinals, but everyone expected they would be no match for the high-powered Dutch.

Costa Rica very nearly proved everyone wrong once again, somehow holding the Netherlands scoreless for 120 minutes, before finally falling just short in the penalty shootout. Its dream World Cup run is now over, but not before it gave one last serious scare to a giant of world soccer.

As expected, the Netherlands controlled the game throughout. The Dutch possessed the ball for nearly 70 percent of the game, creating one chance after another, and did absolutely everything but score. But the ball simply would not go in.

The post, the crossbar, and a defender on the line (plus the crossbar again!) all conspired to keep the Netherlands off the score sheet. Keylor Navas, the Costa Rican goalkeeper, did his best Tim Howard impression, making one remarkable save after another. Robin van Persie, the Netherlands’ all-time leading scorer, missed several gilded chances to end the game in regulation.

As extra time wore on and the game remained scoreless, it seemed as if maybe this was Costa Rica’s day. Indeed, Costa Rica almost stole the game late in extra time, denied only by a great save from Jasper Cillessen in the Dutch goal.

But it was not to be. All four Dutch shooters confidently slotted home their penalties, while Tim Krul, who replaced Cillessen specifically for the shootout, made two saves to send the Dutch through to the semifinal.

The Netherlands will now meet Argentina next week. Costa Rica will go home. But Los Ticos leave this World Cup with their heads held very high. Given 4,000-to-1 odds to win the tournament, they won one of the most difficult groups, defeated two former World Cup champions, conceded only two goals in five games (one of those on a penalty kick), and nearly squeezed their way into the semifinals. Their run here will be long remembered.

Source : The New York Times / By IAN LOVETT