3 Key Themes of the Social Chatter from Netherlands vs. Costa Rica

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 6, 2014

commentComment        

The Netherlands defeated Costa Rica after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, but the drama hit a climax following a goalie switch before the penalty shootout ensued. Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal decided to switch Jasper Cillessen with Newcastle keeper Tim Krul, who is two inches taller. 

After his team won the shootout 4-3, Van Gaal's substitution will go down as one of the gutsiest coaching decisions in World Cup history. After another superb performance, unfortunately in defeat, Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas solidified himself as the best goalie of the World Cup.

Both teams were unsuccessful in their attempts to score a goal in regulation and extra time. Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben created numerous chances for the Oranje, but Navas, and a little assistance from the post, denied the Dutch an opportunity to end the game. Navas saved seven shots and kept the Costa Rican defense stout throughout the match.

The 27-year-old tallied a total of 21 saves with only two goals allowed in the tournament. 

Just as the end of the second half of extra time came to an end, Van Gaal made the bold decision. It was the first time a goalie was subbed in the World Cup solely for penalty kicks. Krul, no penalty-kick master in any sense, saved a mere two of 20 penalties for his club team.

Wonderful performances by Guillermo Ochoa and Tim Howard cannot be overlooked, but I believe Navas was the superior keeper throughout the World Cup. Many on Twitter felt the same. His 21 saves were fourth-best among World Cup keepers. He also played more minutes than any other goalie. 

Krul's 6'4" frame may have saved two Costa Rican shots to send his country to the semifinals, but he also employed the art of trash-talking. Cameras showed Krul giving demonstrative words of discouragement to the Costa Rican free-kick takers before their shots.

...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!