Day 24 - Netherlands v Costa Rica

Pre Match Thoughts
A real "David v Goliath" match up, to dip into the realms of cliché once again. Netherlands are three time finalists against Costa Rica, who are in the quarter-finals for the first time.

The Americans may well regret having not finished the job against Greece in better style, needing to go to extra time and penalties. Especially when they are up against a fancied Dutch team, with Robben on fire and the likes of van Persie hunting for goals.

Costa Rica have been the hero team so far in this tournament and I have tons of admiration for them. They may be long-shots, but in a one-off game there is always a chance. Navos in goal has been in top form throughout and Bryan Ruiz is capable of scoring, but by playing five at the back, it suggests they're looking to contain and perhaps even last out till penalties.

Though I'm going for 2-0 to the Dutch, feeling confident after getting the last game on the money.

Drink?
Keep 'em coming, boyo.

First Half
Turned out to be my worst fears, with Costa Rica playing the safe game. To their credit, their back line has held up very well and the goalie has dealt with any issues comfortably. There's not been much to write about in terms of action... the Dutch may well be biding their time and hoping the other side tires out first.

Second Half
The Dutch have taken the term "making it hard for themselves" to new levels. It's been nearly all them throughout the second half but they've not managed to get the ball in the net. A free kick hits the post, van Persie misses a sitter and then sees a shot cleared off the line.

With Argentina waiting, the last thing these teams want is an extra 30 minutes to toil through. But that is what they've got.

Extra Time
The first half was pretty dead, except for a moment where Costa Rica should have had a penalty, a decision the ref seemed to totally bottle. The rest of the game was fairly equal, though the Dutch came closest when Wesley Sneijder, whose free kick hit the post, hit the bar.

Therefore, the game went to pens, with van Gaal making the decision to bring on Newcastle's Tim Krul on as goalkeeper to face the shoot-out.

And what a decision it turned out to be - the Dutch lads converted their penalties nervelessly, and Krul saved two out of four. The Dutch made far too much hard work out of this game and the extra shift put in may prove to be fatal. Big improvement needed if they are to make the final...

Result
0-0, Dutch win 4-2 on pens. They'll play Argentina.

Crap Relevant Joke
Q - What's the difference between Amsterdam and scoring in American football?
A - One is a touchdown, the other is a Dutch town